Set List: Release, Do The Evolution, Corduroy, Grievance, Lukin, Light Years, Given To Fly, In Hiding, Nothing As It Seems, Even Flow, Spin The Black Circle, Rival, Once, (Romance)/Better Man/(Save It For Later), Insignificance, Nothingman, Animal, Jeremy, Black;
1st encore: Sleight Of Hand, Untitled/MFC, Small Town, U, Rearviewmirror;
2nd encore: Rockin' In The Free World

Pearl Jam rocked Sandstone Amphatheatre in Kansas City. With all the albums they now have to play from, the setlists are an incredible variation, yet full of unpredictable surprises. We arrived at the concert about 4:30 in the afternoon, making sure that we would have plenty of time to talk and converse with other Jamheads. As the speakers of car after car screamed out Pearl Jam, I couldn't wait anymore and had to go in, wanting to catch the opening band, Supergrass. As I listened to some good opening acts, I wondered what the perfect song would be to open with. It was a beautiful night, probably about 70 degrees or so, with just a little cool wind. The full moon added a great background for the stage.

I had decided that "Release" from the Ten album would be incredible for an opener, and I wasn't just correct on the song, but the crowd agreed. Ed's voice rang out and everyone had just taken the wonder drug that we love so much, called Pearl Jam. Even though the crowd was very laid back and relaxed for a calm opener, "Do the Evolution," ripped through peoples bodies, as the heavy drums and great guitar rifts bounced back and forth among fans. This song got the audience dancing and getting pumped up for the next song.

They continued to play, and as each song started, the crowd's reaction of satisfaction got more loud. "Untitled" going into MFC was incredible, and had a spell that it casts on all amongst the crowd. Jeremy was an oldie, but a goody that would help everyone's concert go almost to well. One of the most impressive people on stage that night was good ol' Mike McCready. His guitar echoed through thousand of people's mystified ears. During "Grievance," Mike put on some solos that were so perfect and so dazzling, you could see Stone across the stage smiling and loving every minute of it. The solo to "Even Flow" was almost funky during the middle of the solo, yet still holding on to that original taste and hardcore strumming of that song. "Lukin " was played from the No Code album, but some of the fans seemed kind of shocked the was being played. The song is only a couple of minutes, but Ed gets his point out and in a hurry. Everyone seemed to love "Given to Fly" more than anything. Probably because this song live, is so energetic and spontaneous. Matt Cameroon ripped open this song, and continued phat drums into "In Hiding."

The encore was "Rockin' in the Free World," a cover by Neil Young. It stood out like no other song. It was great, and got the crowd so pumped up, I though Pearl Jam was going to have to finish up with a different song. Though the band covered it great like they did in 1998 for the Yield tour. All in all, this show showed great reasons to go on tour, and not just see one show. They played their new album hard, but for the only reason that it is INCREDIBLE!! Pearl Jam is the best band to hit the business that we call music in the 90's. They have talent that no band can even start to compare with. Between Ed's lyrics that go beyond anything, the heavy guitar playing, the concentration of Jeff's bass, and the great beats from Cameroon, this band will be playing for a long time. And that's a good thing. Because, this band set a haze in the music industry. They look out for their fans and focus on one thing . . . the music. And that's how it should exactly be. . . Always rockin' in the free world with a band we call Pearl Jam.

Daniel Brockman