Set List: Can't Keep, Don't Go, Save You, Hail Hail, Cropduster, Corduroy, I Am Mine, Nothing As It Seems, Given To Fly, Green Disease, Even Flow, Daughter/(War by Edwin Starr), 1/2 Full, Wishlist, Better Man, Black, Blood;
1st encore: Kids Are Alright, Small Town, Bushleaguer, Whipping, RVM;
2nd encore: Crazy Mary

Photo credit: Adam Morgan

Fantastic show! The atmosphere in the 12500 seat capacity arena was electric. The setlist was really put together nicely, leading the audience through the traditional hardcore anthems first (which I love the best) then easing into some just as intense yet mellow tunes. After the crowd pleasing Corduroy Ed introduced Boom and Matt Cameron to Australia. The boys looked refreshed and as relaxed as I've ever seen them (no doubt after a week or so surfing and relaxing on the Gold Coast). Ed forgot the lyrics to Wishlist and a couple of other songs, and so he said "Welcome to our rehearsal" or something like that and mentioned sarcastically that by Sydney they should have everything polished. Mike was going off wielding his axe like a madman and running around in circles all night, his solo's were majestically delivered, especially Even Flow and 1/2 Full, he was very animated all night. Towards the end of Even Flow, Mike, Jeff and Eddie all jumped in the air at the same time, this would have been an awesome photograph, if anybody got it please let me know.

Ed was full of Pete Townshend back kicks and even mentioned how the press was giving PT a hard time and how they (the press) had twisted the whole story. While Eddie was telling us about this one joker in the crowd told Eddie to "shut up"! What followed was Eddie basically telling this guy to pull his head in, to which the crowd roared. Ed also apologized for having seats on the floor (meaning no mosh pit) but we knew why, we understood, and it was cool. "No war" was a continuing theme throughout the show, War was the Daughter Tag, very good crowd interaction as always with this song. Better Man (probably got the biggest cheer of the night), Black (with Vedder draped over the microphone head down looking very intense) and Blood were killers, glad to see Blood finally making a come back! The first encore ended in headbangers heaven with an awesome version of Whipping and an extended Rearviewmirror. I could have gone home then, but the guys came out for one more encore. I thought here comes Yellow Ledbetter, but no, it was Crazy Mary, everyone went berserk. I shit you not, you will not have heard a better or longer version of Crazy Mary in all your life than this one. 23 songs in 2 hours, not a lot of songs for a PJ show but hey they haven't been here since 98 so we are just happy to have them. If you are a big CRAZY MARY fan, I'm telling you now this is the BEST VERSION of CRAZY MARY you have ever heard so buy the BOOTLEG! Can't wait for tomorrow night!
Regards Meg.

Photo credit: Adam Morgan

Just arrived back in Sydney from seeing PJ live in Brisbane, and what a tour opener it was! Tremendous show, went for 2 hours and 10 minutes, and the whole time was just an unbelievable performance. Standouts were Corduroy (always is!), Even Flow, Kids Are Alright and Crazy Mary was a great finish, best live version I've ever heard of it, way better than Seattle Show 2 in 2000, which I thought could never be topped. The 2 biggest surprises which were well received by the crowd was Blood and Whipping. Great intensity from the band on these 2 and I was glad to see these songs return to their setlist. I jumped around like a maniac when Blood was played cause I haven't heard it played live in so long! All in all a fantastic show and the Sydney seems so far away, I wish it was now! Fair selection of tracks played from Riot Act, notable omissions which I thought would have been played were Get Right, LBC and All or None. Hope they appear on their future shows! Thank you Pearl Jam for once again another unforgettable experience and ill be seeing you guys in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Cheers,
Craig