The moral of this story, even before you read the rest of my review, is this: Pearl Jam does not disappoint.
Like seasoned lovers, Pearl Jam teased the audience into glory during their 2 show stop in Toronto at the ACC. Filling the seats with people of many walks of life, the audience never fails to go wild when the 6 piece band enters stage left. Arms flailing, lungs bursting, Toronto fans show Pearl Jam just how they've managed to put on hundreds of shows over twenty years.
Show One: Sunday, September 11, 2011
While Long Road may not have been a popular choice for an opener, coming in with Do the Evolution followed closely by Once was certainly a hit. I personally am happy to hear anything off of Ten (my favourite album) while being part of the 'hallelujah' chorus during Do the Evolution is a feeling unmatched by other songs.
For lack of time to review each song, please view Set One below.
- Long Road
- Do The Evolution
- Once
- Got Some
- Faithfull
- Nothing As it Seems
- Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
- Setting Forth
- Not For You / Modern Girl
- Given To Fly
- Just Breathe
- Off He Goes
- Daughter / It's Ok
- Grievance
- Down
- Unthought Known
- The Fixer
- Porch
Encore One
Side Notes: TOTALLY PLEASED to hear Nothingman!! Was a first for both hubby and I. Better Man is definitely a favourite with the crowds, as is Black. REARVIEWMIRROR, for me, stole the show tonight (maybe -- will get to that later). Please add this song to your list of 'Must Hears'... you can thank me later. Although, tonight's version was definitely one of their best!! (Hear a taste on their Live on Ten Legs CD).
Second Encore
Side Notes: Opening Second Encore with 2 rare Mother Love Bone songs may have confused some while true "grungers" (please excuse term, used for lack of a better word) were in heaven. Alive brought any waning fans out of their funk. Now, if you were quick to Eddie's allusions, you may have guessed that we would be paid a visit by Uncle Neil. Sure enough, halfway through the Canadian tradition of Rockin' In The Free World, Neil Young saunters onstage, strumming along and showing McCready how it's done. Crowd goes wild, see picture inset.
WHEW!!! Can I handle day 2!? Can they top this show!?
Why, yes. A resounding yes, in fact.
Show Two: Monday, September 12, 2011
Now I will say this straight off the bat: Monday's show was my favourite set list by far. Song after song had me pumped up beyond belief. That isn't to say that my 300's section didn't SUCK (why the FUCK are you sitting down during a PJ show), but I just blocked them out and focused on what I was there to see.
PEARL JAMMMMMMMM.
Hubby and I quickly heard the early chords of Go, which prompted my husband to assume that Animal would follow. How my husband knows this band. We both have to agree that this opener was PHENOMENAL and definitely pleased us hardcore fans (dare I call myself that!?). Second time playing new single Olé, which had some people excited but left others unmoved. Hail, Hail was the second time for me, but still makes me wild. In My Tree, off of my second fav album No Code, was a pleasant treat. Hubby and I probably would have given it a 10% probability of being played, so we were in high spirits, to say the least. SAD was on my MUST HEAR list, and I was SO CONTENTED to cross that baby off. The live rendition does NOT disappoint, and Lost Dogs is one of my favourite albums because of this song!! Now before I get too carried away, do view the complete Set One.
- Go
- Animal
- Olé
- Hail, Hail
- In My Tree
- Sad
- Dissident
- Setting Forth
- Corduroy
- Gods' Dice
- Deep
- Garden
- Wishlist
- Even Flow
- Present Tense
- Rats
- State Of Love And Trust
- The Fixer
- Porch
Encore One:
Side Notes: WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT TO PUT LAST KISS ON THEIR MUST HEAR LIST!?!? Not even me, and I aim high! Dedicating this performance to upstage (those behind the set), Last Kiss really got the crowd going after the band returned from cigarro etc. Just Breathe was welcomed again, while the middle three songs were rare and cherished by true fans. Jeremy, of course, had everyone back on their feet (WHY THE FUCKING ARE YOU SITTING, ANYWAY!?) and I realized that Jeremy is probably one of my favourite songs to sing, one octave above Eddie, of course. Why Go is a Must Hear in a live show, as Eddie relies on the audience to pull it through to the end.
Encore Two:
Side Notes: No Uncle Neil at this Encore, but it did not dissatisfy. Do the Evolution is a necessary song to give fans that special feeling, while Alive is another where most people know the words. (But why are you STILL sitting!?!???). Eddie brought out MudHoney to do Kick Out The Jams, a song they wrote together back in the day. Baba O'Reilly (isn't that how it's actually spelled?) is one cover the crowd doesn't mind hearing, while closing off with Yellow Ledbetter sure made us all sorry to see them go.
Why does it have to end!? (WHY GO HOME!?)
At least Eddie told us on Sunday that they were gonna be around for another twenty years! PHEW! I was worried, I still have 12 songs on my Must Hear list!!
Hopefully some will get crossed off during Thursday's show in Hamilton...
Why does it have to end!?!? (WHY GO HOME!?)
Hubby... can't we travel Canada!? MB next up!!
** I do not own the rights to these photos
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