Many of the other concerts this past weekend felt like half-shows, even the headliners Saturday gave the impression of being cut off in the middle of what would have been a truly sensational show. Not so with Pearl Jam, even after 10 hours of shows on an intensely hot day thousands of people stayed to watch the band play a nearly two hour set.
There was nothing but love and nostalgia in the audience Sunday night as the festival drew to a close. Like saying goodbye on the last day of summer camp everyone gathered around, appreciating not just the band but what the festival represented. Vedder used his time on the stage to not only promote love and peace but also to get behind a cause. When he heard that Chicago’s own Lake Michigan was being polluted by the gas company BP Amoco he led the entire audience in a chant of “Don’t go BP Amoco” to much applause. “If you had a boyfriend or girlfriend that never brushed their teeth you wouldn’t kiss them would you? Do the same thing for Amoco. Till they change their ways don’t show them any love,” said Vedder.
The entire night had a cinematic quality to it, as fireworks blasted in the background during “World Wide Suicide” and “Even Flow” both crowd pleasers. Vedder let the audience do most of the singing for a version of “Daughter” that easily flowed into "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" by Pink Floyd.
Vedder knows the benefit of such an audience and after a long and memorable career in the 90’s he showed his appreciation in any way he could. The show could almost be broken up into two distinct sets, the first hour long set ended with the perfectly placed “Alive”. Before singing Vedder took the time to thank all the bands that helped him in his career and that he had the pleasure to play with, both young and old. “We played with a lot of great people, not all of whom are here to share this with us today” he said. One could not help but be nostalgic of days gone by.
After “Alive” the band took a bow and walked off stage for nearly four minutes and while the audience chanted “Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam” over and over everything remained still. Despite the awkward silence not one person moved, their devotion to the band and the festival was unwavering.
Vedder and company walked back on stage at almost the five-minute mark and went right into a roaring “Better Man” to loud and booming applause. No one wanted that night to end, it would mean waking Monday morning and going back to work away from the loving crowd the festival provided. The fans in the Pearl Jam audience were some of the nicest of the entire weekend. If only every festival could bring this same sense of community and love to the city.
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Written by Guest on 2007-08-15 20:18:22
The Pink Floyd song is called 'Another Brick in the Wall'. |
For Real!
Written by Guest on 2007-08-23 18:19:27
Who doesn't know that! |
Brain Damage
Written by publisher on 2007-08-27 00:41:02
Actually if you want to get down to it the song is called "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)." It was their only number one single in both the UK & US but I'm only trying to save face at this point...thanks for reading and catching us with our pants down! -BB |
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