Set List: Of The Girl, Do The Evolution, Animal, Red Mosquito, Corduroy, Grievance, Light Years, Nothing As It Seems, Given To Fly, Even Flow, Faithfull, Untitled (from Live On Two Legs), Last Kiss (Ed solo for part while drumhead is fixed), MFC, Breakerfall, Wishlist, Thin Air, Daughter, Evacuation, Immortality, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Black, Go;
1st encore: Last Exit, Jeremy, Small Town, Alive;
2nd encore: Yellow Ledbetter

During “Of The Girl”
Photo credit: João R.P.

João R.P. (jp_spot@hotmail.com):
Well, the day started awfully early for me. I got up at about 4:30 in the morning so I could, with a couple of friends of mine, catch the 6:05 train, headed for Lisbon. The train ride went smoothly enough, always with the radio tuned into a station that had promised only to play PJ all day long. We got to Lisbon at about ten o'clock (it had to mean something good :o) and to the stadium about one hour later. There were some people already there, some of them since the break of dawn as they told us. We went to get some lunch, and got back to definitively stay in line until the gates opened (that was programmed to happen at about 18:30).

The line was quite a mess (aren't they all?) but, all in all, the people there got along pretty well and there were no problems concerning who was in front of whom. Problems did come when the organization tried to control the so-called “order” in the line we all had created. Seeing in us just a bunch of kids, they thought they could do almost anything to us. It seemed like a game, they sent us forward, then back again, and so forth… The time went on, and on, until it was time to finally open the gates. I was lucky to be one of the first (at least in the first 250) to get in, which meant I was going to stay just by the stage, right in front of Eddie and Mike. What more could I ask for? Mike was sighted for a bit by the stage while it was still daytime, catching some sun or something, and I started screaming for him, as did everybody that could see him. He then waved good-bye which made lots of people pick up their cameras, and used a couple of pictures on him, even though he was a bit far.

The time went by and the time for the show finally came. “The Vandals” warmed us up, first with a cover of a music in the “Grease” OST, which lead to a all-round consistent, albeit with a “all-song-sounded-the-same” kind of feeling to it. In the end, the guitar player got the public's attention, not for the exquisite guitar playing, but for his skills as a stripper. He took it all off, and the laughter was even more uncontrollable when he fell down and hit his head on something, which also left him with a couple of red marks on his ass, a result of the close encounter with the stage's floor. Stone, on the side of the stage, laughed all through this guy's performance.

Then, it really was showtime. The stage hand got the equipment all set, tried it out dozens of times, and after this, the band was ready to come on stage. When this happened, it had a kind of a surreal touch to it. The guys were there, but they weren't! The lights were dim, and we all only were sure they were really there, when they kicked of what would be an overwhelming performance. “Of The Girl” was the first to be played, and it showed why this new album, has everything to be a great one to be played live. In the end of this quiet song, things heated up when “Do The Evolution” started. This continued throughout “Animal” as well. At this time Eddie spoke to us for the first time. “Hi. It's been a long time. You guys still remember us? Then he followed to introduce the audience to the new drummer “This is Matt. Matt these are…”, the crowd went wild, almost all of us really hope Matt is here to stay. “Red Mosquito” not such of a “crowd pleaser”, didn't keep everybody from singing along. “Corduroy” was next, and it became one of the highlights of the night. I've heard many versions, but this one, was among the best.

They then started a batch of new songs starting with “Grievance”, which everybody knew from the Letterman show. We all didn't stay still; the “mosh”, as during the entire show, was a constant. Then one of the best, if not the best song in the new album, at least in my opinion, began (“Light Years”). Many, and that's quite a lot of people, knew the lyrics, and the ones who didn't, at least seemed to know the chorus, which is, in lack of better words, fuckin* outstanding. “Nothing As It Seems” is an instant classic, with Mike's guitar giving to it a kind of “outerspace” feeling. It sounded much better than the CD version, something that the Bridge School Benefit version also accomplished.

Then it was back to the “old” songs. And could this return have started in a better way? The “Given To Fly” performance was totally mind-blowing. It never sounded better to my ears, but then again, I was there. I “helped” to sing it, as did everybody, and the atmosphere was brilliant. Being a part of that, was what it was, and it's hard to put it to words. If you're going to watch them anywhere else in this tour, just wish it's as good as it was here. Then, “Even Flow” was “the usual”, but it never seems to get out of date, as every new performance of this almost 10-year song gives you the feeling you've never heard it before, and makes you just want to go… with the “Flow”.

“Faithfull” brought a strange look to Stone's face. Everybody knew the words, is that so strange Mr. Gossard? It's a great song, and as it's Matt's favourite PJ song, I was hoping he'd get over-exited and started banging it out right there. He didn't, but as we saw, he only kept it for later.

The band then started what they already have done, and as we heard in the “Live” CD, which is play “Untitled” as an introduction for “MFC”. In the transition between the two songs, Matt had problems with the drums, and a mechanic was called (I wonder if Matt bought a Corvette recently!) to fix the glitch. Eddie couldn't leave us waiting all this time, and everybody screamed out the song they wanted Eddie to play by himself. He ended up playing one I guess no one asked for, but that everybody obviously appreciated. “Last Kiss” was on, and Eddie and us made quite a duet :o). In the middle of the song, with the drums fixed, Matt, Jeff, Mike and Stone joined us, the song evolved and in the end, Eddie almost let us sing “by ourselves” while he just closed his eyes, and enjoyed the ride.

After this, the predicted MFC rose up and thing got a whole lot “physical” among us in the audience. With “Breakerfall” it got even worst (or better, your call ;o). “Wishlist” calmed things down, and even though Eddie forgot some of the lyrics… it was still a great performance, I mean, the audience can sing. And at that time, there was a situation where the he sang along side us, not the opposite. We knew the lyrics, he had forgotten some of them, but did anyone care? We were glad he was there, so much in fact that even if he didn't sing that entire song, it would still be ok for us.

In the end, Eddie dedicated the next song to be played to a friend he had made in the last few days here in Portugal. This was a guy that lent him his board and swimming suit so that he could go into the water at the beach. He also mentioned a couple of kids, that almost “gave” their skateboard to Matt so he could use it for a while. “Does this happen everywhere?” was the question Eddie made. We like to think not.

They then followed with a couple of new song (with the already classic “Daughter” stuck between). By the performances (both of “Thin Air” and “Evacuation”) as well as by the response we gave them, we could see we all like what they've done in the new CD. At least in my case, I guess that right now I'd enjoy anything they release, they just have to like it, and put themselves really into the making of it. As they have done this time. “Immortality” showed us what Matt is all about. He didn't do everything he's capable of, but showed us a little preview of things to come throughout the tour. The final solo was excellent, and for all I care, it could have lasted for a whole lot more. Everyone was digging it, and so was him… that's all we ask for.

“Better Man” and the “ever present” “Black” drove many of us to tears, both for the intensity of the songs, and the performances of Eddie singing and Mike, doing his stuff. Singing the backup vocals “TURURUTU TURURU TURURUTU TURURU” we also got into the song, so much Eddie sometimes stopped to hear us. We were terribly off-key, or so it seemed, but I think were forgiven :o). Again, they could have gone and done a 30 minute version of “Black” that no one would have said a thing. Well, perhaps, “Go on!!”. Mike was brilliant, the solo was fantastic, go and see them, you'll know why.

Then suddenly, they left the stage. We all scream for them to come back. Either yelling “PORTUGAL” or “EDDIE” or “PEARL JAM” or even singing the chorus for “Alive” We got them back were they belong soon after. “EDDIE EDDIE” we screamed, and he also started “SUCKS SUCKS” which pretty much made us stop what we were saying. We then started with the “Alive” chorus once again which made Eddie say “Then I guess we won't have to play it, since you've done it already”. Again, we stopped at once so they would have to do it eventually. They then opened up with a magnificent “Go” (the lights drove us mad, in a good way of course) and it indeed seemed like it was the start of the show, everybody was so pumped up, we could go through the show again, and again, and again.

After “Last Exit”, the “Jeremy” riff was heard. It's obvious we all heard that song a million times but… well, what can I say… “JEREMY SPOKE IN CLASS TODAY”. It must be nice, when a crowd like that gets behind you like we did. They deserve it. Eddie then went to thank the performance of “The Vandals”, which, in his words “…come from a small harbour town. And this next song is also about a small town. Here we go. 1…2… I seem to recognize your face…” “Elderly Woman…” was presented in a prolonged version, as it was followed by a piece of “Save It For Later”. In the end of this one, we were all just tired. Not exhausted, but tired… of singing “Ehhh I…..Ohhh I'm Still Alive”. It was getting late, the song was nowhere, we were getting concerned… well… just a bit. But finally, they heard us. We went wild, they went wild, and finally, we showed the entire world. Both us and the band. “Were [most definitively] still alive”. After this, they left… it seemed it would be for good this time, but we all just kept singing, calling them, doing whatever we thought would bring them back one last time. But, as they have showed us in “Nothing As It Seems”, nothing is quite as it seems. A few moments later, Matt came in, as well as Jeff, Stone and then Mike. Eddie was nowhere to be seen. But in a flash, a tall guy, carrying what seemed to be Eddie in his arms came on stage. Left him by the mic, and left. Eddie said “…that was the shortest amount of time that Dennis has been on a Pearl Jam stage”. Yeah... it was Mr. Rodman himself. He'd been watching the entire show from backstage, and finally made himself useful. I think I've (finally) started to like him for what he did :o). Eddie then made a promise “Were gonna play this last song, but then, it's goodbye”, or something. We then started booing (kind of obvious humm?) but that didn't last long, for we all wanted to know which song would be that “last one”.

Mike started playing with the chords, and at last we heard something we knew. “Yellow Ledbetter” was the chosen one, many disagreed (almost everybody wanted either “Porch” or “State Of Love And Trust”) but in the end, all of us got together got into it, and the final solo by Mike, had everybody in silence watching, including Eddie (crouched on stage) and Stone. It all ended in a soft tone, we all begged for more “WE WANT MORE” but at the same time, understood it couldn't last forever, even though that was what we wanted.

Eddie then said goodbye, “Enjoy your life. Keep love alive” were his final words. Then he moved his shirt, and put his hand by his heart while he looked at us. Are we in there? We hope so. He's in ours. He then sent us a kiss and waved goodbye, more of a “See you soon”, or so we hope. We did the same, and chanted while he left the stage and for a couple of minutes more. That was the end of a show where Eddie showed why he is what he is, love by so many, and where Mike, in a great mood all night, surpassed all the high expectations we all had of him. They all, the five of them, gave us a night of magic, unique, as many more were and will be, but still, unique. Whatever I write, It'll never be enough so, as Jeff once wrote “What to say…What to say…”

We all wish a fast come back for the band, feeling written in a piece of cloth thrown to the stage in the middle of the show. “PLEASE COME BACK” it said. “But we still haven't left yet!” Eddie answered. No Eddie, by then you were still here, but now you're not, but the feeling keeps growing in us, and there's only one thing you can do about it. Be back. You make us happy, that's the seed of the passion we have for you guys. And it just keeps growing, and growing, and growing…