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Pearl Jam in Charlotte, NC October 30th: A Review

You know how you wait for so long for something that you know it could never measure up or be nearly as great as you built it up in your mind?

This was not one of those times.

Because last night, my long-time love affair with the band of my youth finally paid off.  And missing all those other tours and never managing to make one single Lollapalooza suddenly didn't matter.  

First off: the songs. You can look at the setlist and see that it left nothing to chance.  A band with this many great songs and so many die-hard fans has a lot of people to please, and I could tell by the folks around me that they didn't fall short.  For me, I was super excited to hear the new "Sirens" but loved my all-time favorites "Alive" and "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" and "Not For You".

Second: the sound.  Was awesoooooome.  I had some doubts about how a voice like Eddie's would hold up after all these years, but how could I have thought any less?  He sounded great!  And all the guys: Jeff, Matt, Mike and Stone were so on top of their game it was crazy!  Their energy was apparent and it also looked like they were having a great time.  It's easy to see when a band is phoning it in, but this was NOT one of those shows.

Third: the overall experience.  Pearl Jam comes to PLAY.  They played 18 songs.  Then they came out and played the first encore of 7 songs and then the second encore of 6 songs.  They talk.  They play.  They recognize people in the crowd.  They make dedications.  They give you a goddamm show!

I also have to say something about our seats.  I didn't have a lot of doe to spend on these, so I was wary of how good they were going to be when we finally climbed to our destination.  The picture above shows our view and it was actually pretty cool.  I could look down and see the band, see the crowd reaction in front of them, watch the inner-workings behind and around the stage and even see the reverse view of the screen.  Did I feel cheated by my "obstructed view" ticket?  Not in the least.  I felt like I got the whole experience, people!

Now, you're always going to have your general annoyances of the big venue show.  A few drunk dopes falling around me.  Getting splashed with someone else's beer.  Having to pay $20 to park and $11 for a cocktail.  But then you also have great seat-mates like our new friends from Aiken, SC who offered me some of his fine-smelling skunk weed.  I didn't partake, but it's always nice to be asked!

And with that in mind, a semi-declaration was also made while The Hubby and I were taking a break out on the concourse.  I could hear "Betterman" leaking through the walls.  I felt light and happy.  But also like I'd reached a moment.  I'm not sure there are many other bands left that I'd brave the crowds, the cost and aggravation of an arena show.  (Maybe if the original R.E.M. got back together?) I'm getting to where I appreciate the small club or hall show so much more.  And sometimes it's hard to imagine topping the events you've already experienced, so why try?

I caught a lot of flack for this concert review back in the summer.  I know it pissed off a lot of Wilco and Dylan fans, but I have to stand by it.  However, I came to a realization last night about my overwhelming feelings for the bands and music I love.

I have loved Wilco since I was an adult, and they have a very big part in the musical landscape of my adulthood.  I went to that show with a lot of expectation and maybe a little too much self-centeredness in what I wanted from them.  Wilco is like a group of new friends.  I've only known them a short time and we still don't know what to expect out of each other.  I may not have given them as much understanding and given up on them a little too easily.

But Pearl Jam is like a group of friends I've known FOREVER.  Since I was 16.  I might get mad at them sometimes.  I might disagree with some of their choices.  I might go away and not talk to them for a while.  But in the end, we still have that history.  And history, sometimes, is what keeps you together.  Maybe one day years from now, I'll have that history with Wilco.

I had a couple of watery-eye moments last night.  I had a couple of teenagery-feeling moments too.  My husband and I were high-school sweethearts.  We drifted apart.  We had separate lives.  We got back together.  Now we are sitting here watching Pearl Jam on the eve of his 40th birthday.  "But now here you are, and here I am!"  Indeed.  Indeed we were.

Thanks for a great show, Pearl Jam.  Thanks for not letting down the 16 year-old or the 38 year-old Becky.

P.S. This local review says about the same and I couldn't agree more!
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