Set List: Of The Girl, Last Exit, Animal, Grievance, Corduroy, Tremor Christ, Nothing As It Seems, Wishlist, Can't Help Falling In Love With You (punked version), Given To Fly, In My Tree, Even Flow, I Got Shit, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Black, Insignificance, Rearviewmirror;
1st encore: Breakerfall, Do The Evolution, Thin Air, Nothingman, Small Town, State of Love and Trust, Go
2nd encore: Footsteps, Baba O'Riley

Photo credit: Joe Whaley

I was so excited when I heard them during soundcheck while I was standing outside waiting to get in. I had picked up my tickets at the Ten Club window earlier in the afternoon and was so psyched to have such killer seats. We were in the fifth row on the floor on the end. My friend that went with me told me he was sure I was going to pass out from all the excitement. I was jumping up and down and smiling all afternoon. When Pearl Jam finally came on, I jumped about 3 feet in the air. I continued jumping in this manner whenever they would start a song I really, really wanted to hear. In addition to this, I was jumping from one foot to another giddily at other random times during the show.

When they came out and broke right into "Of The Girl" I couldn't have been happier. Ed's voice just echoed in my head as he sang "now he makes his getaway." All of my excitement actually poured out in the form of a few tears when they started "Nothing As It Seems." I just couldn't believe I was sitting less than ten feet from Ed, Mike, Stone, Jeff, and Matt. When Eddie announced he needed a jacket for the next song and put on a red striped dinner number, I knew we were definitely in for a few surprises.

Photo credit: Joe Whaley

These surprises came in the form of his punk rendition of "Can't Help Falling In Love" and donning Elvis glasses during "Do the Evolution." I was so glad I brought a tape recorder with me to capture what was going on in front of me. As my friend and I were listening to it on the way home, my voice could be heard several times screaming and singing along; but that's what makes that tape uniquely mine. I also brought a camera and used up the whole roll during the concert. The pictures didn't all come out all that great, but I know what I'm looking at and I have the memories to fill in what you can't see in the pictures. Watching Pearl Jam, for me, is absolutely orgasmic and this having been my first time to see them, I couldn't have been happier with my experience.

I would have loved to have heard "Jeremy," but they did play "State of Love and Trust," which also made me exceedingly happy. And "Rearviewmirror," and "Better Man," and "Nothingman," etc. etc. Even when Ed messed up on "Grievance," I loved it. If I wanted to hear it perfect, I'll go listen to the cd, but that makes that concert and my tape-and the upcoming cd-unique. I can go a whole other week on the adrenaline I have after seeing Pearl Jam in concert. Thank you Ed, Mike, Stone, Jeff, and Matt for fulfilling one of my life dreams. I swear that the only other day in my life that will make me as happy as I was Tuesday, August 15th, 2000, is the day I get married; and even that won't entirely live up to Pearl Jam in concert.