Set List: Small Town, Given To Fly, Save You, Insignificance, Cropduster, Immortality, Blood, Breakerfall, Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon, Corduroy, Off He Goes, Even Flow, Daughter, Better Man, Spin The Black Circle, Rearviewmirror;
1st encore: I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty, Love Boat Captain, Black, Glorified G, Do The Evolution;
2nd encore: I Believe In Miracles by The Ramones, Indifference, Baba O'Riley

It was a typically hot day in the desert - about 105 and I was nervous that the band would melt under the heat. Even after the sun goes down here the temperature remains well over 100 degrees. Plus when you pack together 20,000 people - it can be unbearable and most bands aren't up to the task.

But then again, this is Pearl Jam we're talking about.

After singing (and forgetting) the words to Given to Fly, Eddie stopped and apologized about his voice. He said it was like someone turned on a hair dryer and then trying to sing into it. I thought it sounded just fine. Whether intentional or not, it seemed like it was sing along night with Pearl Jam. From the opening strains of Elderly Woman to the closing rocker Baba O' Riley it everybody was singing (especially in my section).

The heat seemed to agree with Mike. He was like a madman. He was running around the stage, spinning circles - going crazy! He was completely different than when they played during the Binaural tour (it was wet and rainy then). I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He also had the best guitar solo during Even Flow I've ever heard. It was like he knew Eddie was having a hard time singing so he decided to be the star. He really stole the show.

How do you make the best damned rock band in the world better? Add a kick ass keyboardist. Boom adds such a different dimension to the band - it's a much fuller sound. Even songs you've heard a thousand times are fresh and new - like Black. Black gave me goose bumps. The whole crowd was singing at the end and Eddie extended his mike over us, getting it all.

The entire setlist was just very odd and very cool. I loved how they played the beautiful Immortality and then knocked us on our asses with Blood. It was like the ocean - ebb and flow. All night long. Oh, did I mention we got Off He Goes and Indifference?

I could ramble on even more but I wanted to thank Pearl Jam for coming to visit us in the desert in the middle of the summer after gambling all night in Vegas. We really appreciate it and can't wait for the next visit! Make it soon and bring Boom!

Ted Rybka

VERY VERY VERY HOT day in Phoenix on that Saturday. 105+. Me and my younger sister have been going to every Pearl Jam show since the Vs. tour when they visit our town. And every show gets better and better. They age like a fine wine :) We made a whole day of this special event. We woke up early and drove to the Cricket Pavilion just to see what the scene was like. After waiting with a group of other club members we finally got to the fan club booth and picked up our tickets. Very good seats. We go back home to relax for a bit. Then we drive back around 5:30pm and get good parking near the exit. Still very very hot out even in the evening. Once we get through the security lines and enter the pavilion we go in line for purchasing all of the necessary PJ merchandise... Showbox DVD, baseball cap, jersey, stickers, program, etc... lol.

Then we get some Nachos, water, and hotdogs and relax before the big show. After eating such a hearty meal I have some concerns if my digestion system will withstand the coming hours of jubilation... (no worries, we make it through fine :))) )

Then we take our seats and meet and chat with all of our surrounding fan club friends. Lots of pics are taken with a cheap disposable camera. I will scan and upload them shortly. Eventually Idlewild takes to the stage. They are a Scottish band. I had not heard of their music before, but they were really really good. They kind of reminded me of an REM type of sound but a bit more energized and punked. The lead guitar's playing was very original. The vocal from the singer where very good also. I'm curious as to how Pearl Jam hooked up with them, good taste in music I suppose. They were also very humble and kind. Some bands might've gotten a big head opening for such a great band like Pearl Jam, but Idlewild was very likable and I'll be getting some of their records soon.

After Idlewild, the stage techs and tuners were busy setting up for PJ. The temps were getting a bit cooler which was very nice. All of the guys took stage and the crowd went wild! They opened with "Elderly Woman.... Small Town." Instantly the audience began singing all of the words along with Eddie. It was like a giant choir. Eddie speaks a few words after a song or two and says he apologizes for his voice, he is going to do his best but the heat up on stage makes it feel like he's sucking on a hair dryer. But Amazingly, they goes into Save You. (I've been hoping that they'd do this song... it is one of my favorite from the new album). Then a few more songs later he goes into BLOOD!!! WOW! That is an intense song! Plus, I can't imagine anyone being able to keep their vocals after screaming "ITS MY BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDD!" in 100 degree weather. But Eddie never backs down. if his vocals were hurting him, he never let it show. The rest of the show was just as intense. When the 1st encore came they played Love Boat Captain. Boom wasn't onstage until this point. The organ/keyboards just filled the entire pavilion. It was a so beautiful, I hadn't heard such music since Neil Young's last solo tour when he played his pump organ.

Mikes playing and Matt's Drumming blew me away as well. There were more than just a few solo guitar and drum parts that reminds you just how talented these guys really are with their instruments. Truly one of the top two bands in the world (Neil Young and Crazy Horse being the other). Jeff's bass playing was beautiful as his bass piece followed Matt's long drum solo in Rearviewmirror. And Stones chunka, chunka, chunka and backup vocals kept everything together.

The last song was Baba O'Riley and Eddie went through about 6 tambourines. Very cool show and we can't wait for the next tour already ... until then, I'm keeping my eyes open for any sideproject tours.

Peace and love,
Ben Tate