PJ's Set List: Gimme Some Truth (by John Lennon), Grievance, Insignificance, Given To Fly, Light Years, Nothing As It Seems, I Am Mine (new song), Better Man, Do The Evolution, Long Road with Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

I was greeted at the show by seeing Gweneth Paltrow on stage. She was very cool and announced the bands as they came out. Alanis played a great high energy set. I've never seen her before but after that performance I'm a fan. When Alanis was done Eddie came out and after some thanks to the crowd he invited Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on to the stage all the way from Pakistan. I wasn't sure how this would go over with the crowd but after a blistering, unbelievable singing performance Rahat left the stage to a standing ovation from the Seattle crowd and myself. Again, I was truly impressed.

Photo credit: Sharon Wolf

After a spirited announcement by the Groundwork's President Jack Healey and Artis the Spoon Man it was Pearl Jam time! I had come all the way from Indiana for this and I was not disappointed. Like I was going to be. hah! Pearl Jam took the stage and Eddie started Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon! I had seen it on the Bridge School setlists and I was hoping they would play it. It was great! A lot of energy and I could tell it was going to be a good night. Right out of this came a rocking version of Grievance! Mike was all over the place ....dancing and lashing about like Mike often does, it was great! After Grievance was another Binaural special...Insignificance! Ed broke a string but it was again, amazing! They still used the pause before going into the second chorus! Seen it many times but it never gets old. Next, I thought was going to be Light Years because Matt started to play the beat but then quit shortly after starting. This led to Mike beginning Given To Fly! And a great version too! This song was special for me because I flew so damn far to see the band that day. Light Years was played next and was beautiful as usual. Mike tore up Nothing As It Seems after light years. Ed gave Mike some looks during the song like how did you do that? Haha it was great. Next, Ed said "When we got into town we wrote some new songs and heres one of them." A new song!!!!! I Am Mine is amazing! I won't give anything away but wow! Cant wait for the next album! After the new song came Better Man which was super as always and ended with a great Save it for later tag! Do the Evolution was crazy good! These guys haven't lost a step from all the time off. Long Road ended the set and is one of my all time favs! A strange closer but still amazing! Ed had Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan come out to do some chanting as the band jammed the outro of Long Road. I was Blown Away!

Later Ed came out and sang with REM on "Its The End Of The World As We Know It," and "People Have The Power." I have never seen REM before but I have always been a big fan. They played a wicked set including: "All the way to Reno," "Man On the Moon," and "Losing My Religion," took a bow and then came back for more! An Encore! I wasn't sure they were ever going to finish. Which was alright with me.

What a night! The concert went on for like 6 hours! I headed back to the airport in another expensive cab and slept there until my plane flew out at 6am this morning. All my friends ask me was it worth it? and tell me I'm a crazy man! And I say yes it was and yes I am. Crazy about Pearl Jam!