Ed solo before opening bands: Trouble by Cat Stevens, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
Set list: Last Exit, Animal, Save You, The American in Me by The Avengers, Even Flow, 1/2 Full, Given to Fly, Wishlist, In My Tree, Timeless Melody (by The La's) w/Ben from Death Cab For Cutie, Rearviewmirror;
1st encore (acoustic): Lukin, I Am Mine, Nothingman, Last Kiss, Black;
2nd encore: Corduroy, Do The Evolution, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Daughter/(Blitzkrieg Bop), I Believe in Miracles by Ramones, The New World (by X) with Tim Robbins, Fortunate Son by CCR, Alive;
3rd encore: Rockin' in the Free World w/Death Cab For Cutie and Gob Roberts, Yellow Ledbetter

I have seen every Pearl Jam show in the state of Florida since 1996 and I can honestly say nothing compared to the energy in the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL last night. I guess sometimes the stars align just right and something magical happens. Everyone last night was as friendly as could be, from the parking attendants to the security screeners (one even teased she would need to inspect the package under my shirt, as she pointed to my six months pregnant belly; I began to comply before I realized she was teasing and we both had a good laugh).

Pearl Jam has a way of connecting with a crowd in ways that truly make you feel like you are the most special crowd ever. Ed coming out to warm up the crowd for the opening acts is always a happy surprise. I love watching the people in the outer halls recognize his legendary "good evening" and come running from every direction. The song selection last night seemed specifically selected for our sing-along ready group. Ed complimented us several times on our singing. "Better Man," "Nothing Man," and "Last Kiss" got intense responses from the crowd. I must say, watching Ed flub his way through the first verse of "Wish List" was a personal favorite moment of the night. You try singing that song in your shower and see how you do! It's not an easy song to get the order correct! Mike's behind the head guitar playing during the "Even Flow" solo was another highlight for me. And who could not admire Stone taking his turn in the spotlight for the "Do the Evolution" solo. I love playing guess the next song when Jeff pulls out one of his floor standing bass guitars. And Matt still seems to be like a kid in a candy store with this band. The way he flings himself behind the drums between encores made me laugh every time; like he just couldn't wait to get back out there and play.

I appreciated that Ed commented on the recent string of hurricanes that rolled though Central Florida all summer long. One would only need to drive a 1/4 mile or so from the arena to notice the damaged roof tops and piles of trees and other debris still in place after three storms hit the area in a span of six weeks. Before jumping into one of the encores, Ed pointed to each section of the crowd and said "Thank you." Few other bands do so much to ensure their fans feel respected and appreciated.

During "Rockin' in the Free World" I started to notice the exact opposite of what normal Florida crowds do during large events. Just go to any Orlando Magic game and you'll see a mass exodus once the countdown clock reaches 5 minutes left or so. But last night, the crowd began to make its way to the floor for what was becoming a very organized and energized mass sing-along. I expected to see Security storm the stairs and block the way, but it never happened. People just streamed onto the floor and took their place among the crowd to sing. No pushing or shoving, just walking and enjoying. We decided to join the party on the floor for "Yellow Ledbetter" and when I realized I wasn't able to see much, I stood up on one of the chairs. Again, I expected to be scolded, but instead a security guard walked by me and just gave me a smile instead. With the house lights on and everyone trying their best to sing along with the ever changing lyrics, the band played a most touching rendition right down to the lines "I don't want to stay, I don't wanna go." We felt the same way; exhausted but satisfied and ready to head out into the night with a renewed love and respect for this band who clearly treasures their fans. Thanks for an amazing night!

Wow, what a show! Eddie came out before the opening bands and did not 1, but 2 songs. "Trouble" by Cat Stevens and a personal favorite of mine "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away," which Eddie had us singing back to him. When Eddie finished he announced "This Is Just The Beginning" and I had a feeling we were in for a long show, close to 3 hours when all was said and done.

The boys came out rocking hard with "Last Exit" up to "1/2 Full." Mike was playing his guitar behind his head during some of his "Even Flow" solo. Mike was in constant motion all night long, he is amazing. "Wishlist," Eddie forgot the opening lines but recovered quickly. Eddie was in strong voice all night long, he sounded powerful from the get-go.

"RVM" ended a very hard rocking first set. The boys came out and sat on stools for the very impressive acoustic set they have been doing on this tour. "Nothingman" was a nice treat and "Black" was a powerful way to end the acoustic set, with the crowd singing back to Eddie and Mike getting off his stool to do his solo.

The encores were amazing. After what seemed to be a 1 note Jazz Improv, the boys ripped through "Corduroy" and "Do The Evolution." "Better Man," was sung by the crowd back to Eddie and the boys added the "Save It For Later" tag at the end of it. I think it was at this point in the show, Eddie announced to the crowd the band decided to make this show the longest of the tour. Eddie announced that it was Johnny Ramone's birthday and that Johnny had passed away a few weeks back and the band ripped through "I Believe In Miracles." The set ended with "Alive" and I figured that was the end of the show.

The boys came back with Gob Roberts and Death Cab For Cutie to do "Keep On Rocking In The Free World." Mike then took everybody home with "Yellow Ledbetter."

Amazing, what else can I say. Thank You Eddie, Mike, Stone, Jeff, Matt, Boom. Pearl Jam the greatest band in the world..........THANK YOU

The only word I can use to describe Pearl Jam's performance in Kissimmee on October 8th is WOW. I have had the pleasure of watching them live since their early days and I can safely say this may have been their best concert I have ever seen. It is amazing how they have maintained such a high energy level after so many years together, and musically their sound is incredibly tight. Gob Roberts and Death Cab put on very entertaining performances. Death Cab could be a band worth looking out for, but because they rely on musical talent, and do not have an over sexed prepubescent female, or do not flash bling bling, I would not look for them on MTV anytime soon.

The arena was rather small, and was packed when Pearl Jam hit the stage so the crowd noise was especially loud. When the first beats of Last Exit began the place went nuts! The crowd sang along loudly with Ed who seemed to enjoy this throughout the show. The band ripped into a high energy Animal, and maintained that energy through the whole first set. Given to Fly has become probably their finest live song, and going back to back with Wishlist was a treat. I'm voting for Bush, but the digs at Bush in Wishlist were clever. The band ripped through RVM, and it seemed like Ed sang the second verse twice, but the song absolutely rocked.

To begin the acoustic set Ed mentioned this was the time to slow things down, then ripped into Lukin. The crowd response to Nothingman and Last Kiss was outstanding. When Mike played the first chords to Black the place went wild. I have not seen them perform this song acoustic since MTV and it was something special to see and hear.

They call each break encores but they were really full sets. Ed began the 2nd "encore" by saying the band agreed this would be the longest show of the tour. He mentioned the length of Springsteen's shows, then said, "this is how we do it" and they began Corduroy. The crowd reaction in the third set was amazing. Ed had the crowd sing the entire first verse to Better Man which he said was, "great." Fortunate Son was outstanding, and when the band cracked open the first chords to Alive the crowd sang so loud, at times it almost drowned out the band. Amazing! For the quality of the performance we witnessed that night it's fair to say that would have been more than satisfying, but the band came out for a 3rd "encore." Ed had them turn up the houselights and he thanked the crowd and encouraged them to vote. He brought out Gob Roberts and Death Cab and they joined for a high energy RITFW. The crowd began pouring onto the floor to join in the celebration. The closing number was YLB and it's great to see them embrace this as a live song.

It's great to be able to put aside politics to enjoy a performance like this, even in such a highly charged political environment. Pearl jam has established themselves as one of the greatest all time bands and Friday night was a great exclamation point for that statement.