epilogue wrote:Obviously, I wasn't at either show (though, I wish I'd been at both!). Looking at setlist alone, I feel like Night 1 takes it. But I'd love to have been able to go to both nights. Seems like they compliment each other really well.
For those that got to go to both, I'd love to hear more about the pros/cons of each show.
Setlists are about equal. Blistering sets with a few (for me) duds that didn’t detract from the overall show. A few mistakes were made both shows. After N1, I would’ve said that was the most energetic show we’ve seen thus far on the Dark Matter tour. N2 obliterated that thought completely. Easily the most high energy Pearl Jam show I’ve ever been to. It started with Long Road and didn’t let up until everyone was walking out. Everyone around us was making similar comments too. It was palpable. It’s going to be very hard (there you go Chris) to top that show.
Before the tour started, I kinda made a deal with myself that I would no longer go to shows chasing tunes but would just enjoy what I got for what it was and I find that I'm engaging with the overall vibe a lot more this way. Rather than being disappointed that I didn’t get any “new” songs, I’m very much enjoying what I am getting and the experiences are much richer. Even with this new attitude towards shows I don’t think I could’ve ever denied how powerful last night’s show was.
Also, Frampton sitting in on Black cannot be overhyped. That was one of those moments that you hear about your favorite band experiencing and wishing you were there for it. I honestly thought that, due to his condition, he wasn’t playing anymore and to see him shuffle out there with his cane was a triumphant moment. And truth be told, I wasn’t expecting much from it. But he delivered. He had a total respect for the band and the song and elevated it as I’ve never seen before. And to have the second verse like he did… It was just fucking perfect. Just an incredible thing to have witnessed.