Set List: Interstellar Overdrive, Corduroy, Grievance, Spin The Black Circle, Dissident, Brain of J, Animal, Given To Fly, Nothing As It Seems, Even Flow, Pilate, Lukin, Light Years, Romance (Eddie learned this classical song in Barcelona), Better Man/(Save It For Later), Leatherman, Not For You, Black, Insignificance, Go;
1st encore: Throw Your Arms Around Me (Ed solo), Do The Evolution, State of Love and Trust, Crazy Mary, Small Town, Last Kiss, Rearviewmirror;
2nd encore: Indifference, Rocking In The Free World

Oh my God!

Let me just preface this review by saying that I've already seen some of the most memorable Pearl Jam shows. Elliot Hall (Purdue) in 1994 with the bomb threat and Eddie joking that we were free to leave or we could stay and take our lives in our hands, like anyone left. And of course, the 1998 Indy show that coincided with the infamous Clinton admission of sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. So, needless to say, the bar was high and to be honest, I wasn't expecting them to be able to reach my memories of those great shows-I couldn't have been more wrong.

To say that this show was amazing seems like an understatement. The whole band seemed energetic and were definitely feeding off the energy of the crowd (easily the most boisterous crowd I've ever heard at a concert). I'll get into more detail below, but let's just say this, if you pass up on this tour, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

The set opened with Interstellar Overdrive/Corduroy which I haven't seen open before and it really set the tone for the rest of the evening, although to be honest I was hoping that Of The Girl would open things as it's a personal fave of mine off Binaural. Then the boys decided to get hard on us with 5 fast and furious songs. The highlight was definitely Brain Of J, the crowd was into it and Eddie really seemed to feeding off of us. A lot of crowd interaction the entire night. Much more so than I remember. Also, Mike kept making motions to his ears. At first I thought maybe he was having some trouble with his monitor or something, but it became apparent that he was making a reference to the loudness of the crowd as we seemed to sing along with every song. Mike was definitely electric making a ton of contact with the audience and he really seemed to enjoy every minute of it. Before Brain Of J, I think, Eddie made a mix it up sign to Stone and Mike. I don't know what that meant, but it definitely led to a great version of this rocker. Around this time, Eddie made a reference that last night in Nashville it was so hot that he felt that he was in hell and if that was hell, then Indiana was heaven. Not a bad way to get the crowd into it (As if we needed any encouragement). It was chilly even for an Indiana night (low that evening was 55). Animal was amazing and the crowd counted along. Given to Fly was just amazing. This song is just made to be played live and played right after a bunch of fast songs. It really connected with the audience. Eddie introduced NAIS and introduced Mike (like we needed an introduction).

Even Flow was a crowd favorite which led into Pilate which was the first of many surprises on the evening. It seems everyone in the crowd has a dog like Pilate. :) Lukin was next and I never thought that it would play as well live as it does on No Code. The furious pace whipped the crowd into a frenzy. The only selection off of No Code for the evening, but it was evident that this show wasn't going to slow down until the long into the night. So No Code will have to wait until another day. Light Years is definitely a song that deserves to be heard live. The next song I didn't recognize (the only one on the night). Is it new? Something they picked up over in Europe? It was definitely cool and the crowd was into it even though it was something unfamiliar to them. Betterman was next with the extended intro. The second best version I've ever heard. The best being from Indy 1998 (dedicated to Hilary Clinton).

Leatherman and Not For You were next. The crowd was really into it at this point. Even Stone seemed more energetic than usual. Matt was amazing all night and really hit it on Not For You. He really adds a lot to their songs. Black was next and this has to be the best version of Black out there. Mike's extended solo was amazing. In fact, Eddie was enjoying it and it just went on and on. Eventually, Eddie picked up his guitar and he was standing next to Stone, like he was trying to learn the riff or something, it was so cool. Insignificance will be a show staple for a long time to come. As good as it is on the disc, it doesn't do justice to the way it sounds live. They ended the set with Go which just about brought down the house. And I'm not sure if it was here or RVM that ended the encore, but Eddie was jamming on his guitar and broke a string but just kept going. It was remarkable to see him finish with the broken string and all, a very ethereal moment.

The first encore started with Throw Your Arms Around Me which Ed handled by himself. He dedicated it to his brother who he hadn't seen since they got back from Europe, but he was there this evening. Ed outdid himself. It was a really cool moment. The techs had teased us before Pearl Jam took the stage initially bringing out the ukulele and tuning it. Soon Forget wasn't played, but TYAAM was perhaps even better. A real treat. This bootleg will be highly sought after. The rest of the band joined Eddie for Do The Evolution. The first encore is probably the best set in an encore I've ever seen. The next treat was State Of Love And Trust, a personal favorite. Eddie remarked about how the people on the lawn were enjoying themselves looking at the moon and all, then we saw the moon rising over the lawn and said well maybe not (as it was behind the lawn). He then mad e a comment about how they were trying this song lately and went into a sweet Crazy Mary. Perhaps the best surprise of the evening. This song just transcended the whole evening. Eddie then ripped Indiana yet again (Not as bad as his tractor comment from 1998 though) saying that they're going to play this next song because there are a lot of them in Indiana and played Small Town. The crowd really felt that one. Last Kiss was next and the crowd sang along perhaps the loudest on this song than any other. To be honest, I think it's been overplayed in the last year, but it was good to hear it live and the crowd really seemed to bond with it. Not to mention that it really fit into the encore playlist well. They ended the first encore with RVM, which just blew the crowd away. Mike's behind the head solo was spectacular.

The second encore was just as effective. Short but sweet. Indifference was impeccable. A great version. And they ended they show with Free World. This was cool because a guy down in the front row kept flashing Eddie with his sign all night which read "Free World." At one point early on in the night Eddie motioned at him to put it down. He seemed to be mouthing the words "Not yet." Eddie grabbed the fan's sign and displayed it for the crowd to see in the middle of Free World.

All in all the show was beyond words, even though I seemed to find enough to describe it. The boys really seemed to have a lot of fun up there which is good news to us fans. Hopefully, we'll have plenty of years of Pearl Jam madness in front of us!

Special thanks to Pearl Jam and the Ten Club for the tenth row tickets dead center. Being immersed in a sea of fanatics that take their Pearl Jam as serious as you do is the best way to enjoy a show. You guys treat your fans better than anyone else I know. Thanks again and keep rockin' forever!

John Couture