Ed solo before opening band: Dead Man, Thumbing My Way (part), You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Set List: Long Road, Grievance, Corduroy, Save You, Get Right, I Am Mine, Immortality, Given To Fly, Even Flow, Wishlist, Thumbing My Way, You Are, Breakerfall, Not For You, Untitled/MFC, Do The Evolution, Spin The Black Circle;
1st encore: Love Boat Captain, Better Man, Down, Black, Rearviewmirror;
2nd encore: Indifference

Well, this is my 6th live Pearl Jam experience and it was mind-blowing once again. I have listened to a ton of boots and have been a fan for 10 years so here are my thoughts. I have provided a few lyric quotes from the night too. I can't guarantee they are 100% accurate.

Long Road - Beautiful opener and Ed's voice is in fine form. Only a few lights lit the stadium.

Grievance - First time this tour and Ed was really enjoying it. Mike was jumping around like nobody's business. "Don't take blood and fuck me."

Corduroy - The crowd certainly knew this one. Band was really tight. Can't really remember much else that stood out as I heard it so often from the 2000 boots.

Save You - Ed was using lots of hand gestures. Jeff's bass was thumping and the band was really firing. Boom's boards were really noticeable and whilst not necessary give it an added boost.

Get Right - First time on tour and it sounded ok but I think someone was having trouble with their guitar. I love the studio version but it didn't grab me. I will listen to the boot and might have my opinion altered.

I Am Mine - A crowd fave and the band really seem to enjoy nailing the heavier riffs between chorus and verse. "We're safe tonight."

Immortality - "This one we haven't played in a while it's called Immortality." Very early in the setlist. Was quite shocked actually. They did a jam out in the end. Matt didn't seem to go all out but it was nice to see them carry the song and let it settle. Too early in the night to go all out.

Given To Fly - Instant crowd reaction to opening riffs. Matt's drumming was spot on.

Even Flow - Despite people saying the band are tired of it I think if they are to play anything off Ten it's going to be Even Flow or Black 90% of time. Mike McCready really had fun with the solo using a few effects. Ed was moving around when Mike was soloing so that gives an indication it still gets him going. Crowd went nuts as one would expect.

Wishlist - Ed nailed all the lyrics "65 billion hands upraised" Ed stuffed the solo up at the end and it turned out being a 7 minute version with an easy listening jam. Ed threw in a bit of the Rolling Stone's "Beast Of Burden" and started a dododododo from another one of their songs that escapes me at present but cracked up laughing. Jam ended without an "I wish."

Thumbing my way - "I played this earlier to the people here" So some lucky people (400?) got to hear Ed's pre show solo set. Really beautiful rendition and if a song can create an intimacy inside a 10,000 seat venue you know it's a winner.

You Are - This was a major highlight. I love the studio version and even though it has many layers on the album they can really capture the atmosphere of the song live. Matt's drumming style seems to change halfway though and Mike really creates the platform for the rest of the guys to work on. Really nice lighting as well.

Breakerfall - Great yell in the opening chords. Mike's solos were great. The band didn't stop after this song Matt started a recognizable drumbeat which was…...

Not For You - Ed seemed to alter his voice for this song and I'm sure was singing "this is not for her." Could somebody back me up please? "Small my table seats just you." "My friends call me, fucking call me."

Untitled/MFC = "35 minutes or so." Mike ventured across Stone's side and was really enjoying it. Jumping around like crazy.

Do The Evolution - Stone's guitar sounded a touch different but it was still recognizable. It rocked. Short n sweet.

Spin The Black Circle - Great combo with DTE and STBC back to back. This was tight and a highlight for me. As Ed laid down the needle he decided to have a lie down and sung part of the song leaning against the stage amp at the front.

Encore -
Love Boat Captain - Ed introduced it and all that stands out was that the crowd participated in the "All you need is love, love, love" at the end.

Better Man - Heard it a ton of time but I'm happy for others to hear it. Slight extended ending but no tag. Ed let the crowd sing along for the intro.

Down - "This is a B-Side off our last record." Sounded great and was a flawless debut. Ed mimicked the lyrics into hand actions and did the singing and the end as you hear it on the single.

Black - Still a great crowd pleaser. Mike really shines doing solo's for black. Booms organ sounded great and gives the song a new dimension without drawing to much attention to itself. Ed grabbed a guitar towards the end and played along to Booms organ. Crowd carried the dodododo dododo until the conclusion of the song.

Rearviewmirror - Heard it 1000 times but that never causes me any problem. Really tight, shorter middle jam but and the end they really took tempo up a few notches. They went for broke. The crowd responded accordingly. They then exited the stage and some people more concerned about getting home early decided to leave. Well they missed out on the intimacy of...

Indifference - How Eddie can still sound crisp and clear after 22 songs plus 2 he did pre show is amazing. There was no crackle or strain in his voice. Just amazing how a song that is best suited in a small room can capture a 10,000 strong crowd. Boom gave it a nice touch that added to the atmosphere of the song. Possibly the best closer as you can just go “ahhhhhhhhh” after it. A bit like the after dinner mint after a big meal. Ok its 3am I'm a big silly at this hour. "How much difference does it make? It makes a difference"

Ed's crowd banter:

"I will play after I finish this smoke. It's the only place you can smoke in the building without getting a $500 fine." Ed then proceeded to show off his drawback and puff "You gotta smoke with a Bush in your office. The Clinton days were ok compared to this. From what I can gather on TV your Prime Minister (John Howard) is giving Bush a blowjob. (cheers) He is doing it with your lips” (Boos) In all seriousness Ed expressed that he hopes all troops arrive home safely.

"Sydney night 1 or 3. So I guess you guys are the real fans. (Cheers). We have 1 more song (boos) we have 2 more shows to do. Fuck the guys at the next two nights."

He jokingly paid out Brisbane.

Great show and great setlist. Kept everyone happy. The big hits fans (Even flow, Better Man, I Am Mine) to the album fans (Black, Corduroy, Not For You) to the hardcore fans (You Are, Down, Get Right). Everyone was having a blast. Bring on night 2 and 3. Thanks for coming all the way down to visit our shores once again. We have been left with another unforgettable experience. I will depart with a quote I heard from a 50-60 yr old father who went with his daughter. He was a tag along and not a fan. His daughter looked towards him and he said "Unbelievable"