Set List: Of The Girl, Breakerfall, Grievance, Gods' Dice, Light Years, Corduroy, Animal, Given To Fly, Even Flow, Nothing As It Seems, Daughter/(The Wrong Child by R.E.M.),(Androgynous Mind by Sonic Youth), Faithfull, MFC, Wishlist, Do The Evolution, Black, Alive;
1st encore: Timeless Melody by the La's, Insignificance, Rearviewmirror, Better Man, I Got Shit, Go;
2nd encore: Soon Forget, Soldier of Love, Yellow Ledbetter

Tom (Myriver1979@aol.com):
Wow, what a show. The whole thing started with theMonkeywrench, who are pretty much unknown on these shores but everybody showed their appreciation. I liked them and was convinced about finding their album. One thing that bothered me was that I was pretty sure that Steve Turner played guitar, but who's picky, I'm not, I thought they were a great support act for what was to come next. My only question is that where did their guitaist get to? He disappeared during the last song and in his place was a roadie who tried to give his guitar to the audience, very funny. Their set lasted about 30 minutes, and then at about 8.45 the big boys landed.

The lights went down, the crowd screamed and Pearl Jam effortlessly guided us in to 'Of The Girl' and then 'Breakerfall.' Two new and very great songs. More new and classic songs followed-'Gods' Dice', 'Light Years', 'Grievance', Even Flow', 'Soldier of Love', 'Animal', 'Go', 'Better Man', 'Corduroy', 'MFC', 'Faithfull', Rearviewmirror', Nothing as it Seems'. But the highlights of the show were definitely 'Daughter,' 'Given To Fly,' 'Do The Evolution,' 'Alive' and my personal favourite of the show, 'Black.' This song definitely stood above the rest. Eddie was as intense as could be and the whole crowd were singing along especially in the outro (Imagine falsetto voices) do, do, do, do, do, do, do, etc. It was amazing.

They finished the set with the song 'Soon Forget' with Eddie on ukulele or as he jokingly stated from Matt Cameron 'A Grunge-lele'! And then finally into a classic version of 'Yellow Ledbetter' leaving Mike McCready in a lone spotlight with the rest of the band watching and the house lights up. The whole show seemed so relaxed, The rocking songs were rocking and the mellow songs were mellow, the boys just seemed to be really relaxed and enjoying themselves.

Luke (LBlockL@aol.com):
Four long years we have waited, four years that has seen the release of two studio albums and endless tours everywhere but here!! There was no hype though, no endless media barrage so usual with today's record industry. There was simply a buzz. The excitement four friends in a car felt was magnified a thousandfold when we stepped into the May sunshine and took our place in the que outside the arena, and in the shadows of the famous twin towers.

We got in and took our seats which had an excellent view of the stage, (roadies milling around untangling leads) and before you could say "hey that's the guy from Mudhoney!" theMonkeywrench exploded into London time. They were having fun in the cavern that is Wembley arena, and it was still only half-full. However, since Mark Arm didn't introduce any of the songs I can't tell you their names. I can tell you though that they sounded like The Stooges brawling with The Sex Pistols while Nirvana stepped in occasionally to throw insults. I imagine that their raw energy would come off much better in a small, dingy beer sodden club and not in here, they are well received though by the swelling crowd and at the end of the set we are treated to Mark Arm cartwheeling across the stage!

After a short time the lights dim down and the crowd ignite. First Stone steps out, then Jeff, Matt and Mike walk on, and finally, to the biggest cheer, Eddie strides across the stage to strap on his guitar and tease out the funky shuffling riff to 'Of The Girl', I love Mike's blues lead playing on this track and live is something else. Next is 'Breakerfall' while not the heaviest PJ track, still has that famous urgency and pace. 'Grievance' and 'Gods' Dice' follow and for a new album the Binaural songs are going down a storm, people getting out of their seats, holding arms aloft, trying to get Eddie's attention, (ha! right). They slow the pace for a beautiful 'Light Years' and I nip out for a cigarette. I am climbing the stairs back into the arena when the unmistakable chords chime out for one of my favourite PJ tracks, 'Corduroy' is amazing. The energy transmitted from the smallish stage is quite unbelievable. They are fired up now. Which is just as well because straight after 'Corduroy' comes a breathtaking 'Animal' full of rage and intensity, Eddie's eyes screwing up as he chants the chorus, Mike's fingers a blur as he cranks out the solo. Wicked!

None of the band have spoken yet but Eddie gives us a few words about the Yield album that we didn't see live and they play a gorgeously uplifting 'Given To Fly' which goes down a storm. That storm pales in comparison to the hurricane of noise that greets 'Even Flow.' Everyone is dancing and I notice a sea of arms from the mosh pit. That was worth the entrance money alone.

They again slow the pace for 'Nothingman' which means a lot to me personally, (everyone has a couple of PJ songs they can really identify with). It is a wonderful moment, everyone is having a fantastic time and everywhere I look people are sporting huge grins. I think by this time Eddie has spoken about how nice it is to be in London and how they all love this place, (I think he said it was above heaven) oh well, even Eddie is wrong sometimes. 'Daughter' is next and leads into a cool jam which sees the band milling around the stage totally into the music. They are such a tight outfit now and afterwards Eddie gets us to cheer for Matt Cameron, what a drummer.

If Stone and Jeff seem a little subdued tonight, then Mike and Eddie more than make up for it. At one point Eddie gets on this huge security guard's shoulders and shakes hands with the crowd. Mike, however, is content to run around the stage like a nutter, trailing his Gibson Flying V behind him.

After 'Daughter' comes more from the 'Yield' record. 'Faithfull', 'Wishlist' 'MFC' and a totally amazing 'Do The Evolution', everyone is dancing now and my throat is wasted with all the singing. Eddie is in good spirits and after that workout he's ready to dust off a couple of classic songs. 'Black' has everyone sing and waving, the passion is incredible, and Mike's guitar playing is stunning. That has the crowd going, and then they launch into 'Alive' and the place goes crazy. I don't go to football matches but ten thousand people singing the same thing is quite unbelievable. These moments never leave you, no matter how many gigs you go to.

That's it for the main set. We carry on clapping and the band disappear. My friends and I are buzzing. What a night! After much feet stamping and chanting, "Pearl Jam ra ra ra, Pearl Jam clap clap clap" or something, the band re-emerge to thunderous applause.

Eddie says a few words for their friends theMonkeywrench and we are treated to a LA's cover. I can vaguely place it and it fills the arena nicely. The powerful 'Insignificance' is next up and from that the band motor into 'Rearviewmirror' and 'I Got ID' the former at a blistering pace and the latter full of cool guitar work from Eddie, Stone and Mike. A truly wonderful 'Better Man' is next which has us all singing ourselves stupid and 'Go' reminds us of the early PJ days and we love it. They're off again!

Not for long though, Eddie comes back alone with his ukelele and tries not to laugh as he plays 'Soon Forget', I think he was surprised when we all clapped along and it was a really honest, funny moment. They band re-joined him for 'Soldier of Love' and they finished with a really good version of 'Yellow Ledbetter'. Mike kept on playing, Hendrix style while the rest of the band stopped and where simply watching him and smiling. And that was it. They waved and were gone.

The best gig of my life, my favourite band playing my favourite songs how could it be anything else? Thanks Eddie, Stone Jeff, Mike and Matt. I hope those of you going to the Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow and Cardiff shows are ready for a truly incredible night.