Pearl Jam, Wembley Arena
- Posted on June 19, 2007 2:24 PM
- 10 comments
Pearl Jam
Wembley Arena
Monday 18th June, 2007
Review by Katie Spain
“What types of people go to a London Pearl Jam concert?” Now, I’m a fan but when asked this question, I couldn't answer. Is there an answer? As I tuck my ticket in my back pocket I vow to find out.
Earlier this month, Pearl Jam ticket holders were emailed stern instructions not to wear studs; obviously the security at Wembley Arena has their own ideas about the stereotypical Pearl Jam fan. In my twenty-five years of Jam action, I've not yet come across a fan decked to the halls in spikes. I doubt there'll be many 'attire issues' tonight - and I'm right. The hoards of people on the Jubilee line are dressed for comfort. Nothing more, nothing less; trainers, T-shirts and Jeans all the way. There's no sign of blazing emblems, designer logos or trousers perched precariously below bum cracks. No sir... if it stays on in a sweat-soaked mosh pit you've hit the dress code spot on...
The first thing that hits you when you walk out of Wembley Park tube station is the sea of touts. As I barrel through them, the harsh chorus of "Buy or sell tiiiiiiiickets" reaches a crescendo.
On the other side, I’m greeted with the awesome sight of Wembley Stadium. No other venue creates quite the same atmospheric build up as you approach it. The walkway is pounded by Pearl Jam addicts, united in an Eddie Vedder worshipping Fellowship. The merchandise van is doing a roaring trade - the crowd is already specked with red tour shirts. The sun is shining, the water feature is doing its best to soak unsuspecting stragglers and the vibe is one of chilled out anticipation. I make it through security without skipping a beat and the speed and lack of stress surprises me. Pity I can't say the same for the pint department.
A girl in the toilets is upset. Her friend bought a ticket from a tout and couldn't get in. Oh, the pain of a fake. I'm feeling more honoured to be here by the minute. I've chosen against general admission tonight but when I see the buzz on the ground floor I begin to doubt my decision. The last time I was here I saw Bob Dylan but was so far away he was a mere smudge in the distance. All doubts scamper when I spot S5 - I've hit gold this time. As I settle down next to a friendly Scotsman, his fellow countrymen 'Idlewild' take the stage.
"I saw these guys in Scotland years ago. It was a tiny venue and they were shit".
Idlewild have a lot to live up to (as does anyone supporting Pearl Jam) and although they've obviously improved a hell of a lot with age, the on stage action is kept to a minimum and front man charisma just isn't there. I'd love to see them in a more intimate venue - I think they'd hit home. Then again, the bodies around me are waiting for the man who has it all down to a tee. Comparison just isn't fair… there's just no beating this crowds' musical Messiah. As far as setting the scene goes, Idlewild do well. We can't all be show ponies.
During the break, it’s time to soak up my surroundings and a beer. The place is packed to the gills. It's a multi-cultural bunch too; flags are held high in the mosh pit (geez those guys always have more fun) and the guy next to 'The Scot' travelled over from Brasil. Like me, it's his first live Pearl Jam experience, while the Scotsman has seen them a few times. Pearl Jam is his favourite band and he's travelled to London just for the gig. Now that's the type of fan dedication I like to see. Turns out I've sat next to a walking Pearl Jam evangelist (and dictionary) for that matter. Sometimes you just get lucky. Beats a sullen concert-goer any day!
Any mid-show banter disappears as soon as the lights dim. We're in for a treat and boy don't we know it. Eddie Vedder is nothing short of a master of his art. An all-round nice guy with a voice that has the ability to rock you, move you, shake you and engulf you - all at once. Pearl Jam is nursed me through my late teens; my first romantic fumbles, musical awakening, the family feuds and amazing sing-a-longs around a coastal Australian campfire. As I look around me, the reminiscence on the fan's faces reflects their own Pearl Jam inspired memories. No one remains seated - we all rise to meet the long-haired King. The roar of the crowd engulfs us - as the plectrum hits the strings for the first time, the crowd go crazy. What a voice.
A few spotlights are all that's needed to light up the five musicians on stage. A mesmerizing stage presence and the music is all we need. I've got chills - I've never been engulfed by a performance like this before. I thought I was going off big arena performances - I'm back on the bandwagon.
The band has an amazing ability to connect with every audience member. Before the show, Mr Scotsman told me he'd been in the front row of a mosh pit and Eddie had "Clocked" him. As I watch his idol prowl the stage, acknowledging the crowd members with sincerity, I suddenly believe him. Between songs, Vedder chats to us like a roomful of mates.
"It's the first time we've played here since a thing called Reading and a thing called Leeds and ah, and those felt pretty good for us - only because of you guys who were there. Thank you for that - thanks for coming. It's been 7 or 8 years since we've played this building but it doesn't feel that long... we couldn't be happier to be playing in a room this size with all you people."
The feeling is mutual. The set covers at least one song from every album, with an emphasis on the new and unheard live. The band shakes Wembley's foundations and Vedder seals most tunes with the trademark rock star scissor kick. He's cool without trying - there's not a man in the house that doesn't want to be him nor a woman who doesn't want to 'have' him. In return, the man is modest and has a genuine respect for the crowd and the team around him. One of the crew gets a special mention:
"Let me introduce you to Pete. He's from Cornwall. The whole time we're on the road he actually gets shit for it... but I thought this time he should get some credit." Keyboardist Kenneth "Boom" Gaspar however, is met with resounding “boos”. Or is that “Boom”? Settle that one for me guys…
A song-by-song description would turn this into three part series, so for eye-fatigue’s sake, here’s a quick run down:
Set: Long Road, Severed Hand, Grievance, Comatose, Given To Fly, Low Light, I Got Shit, Faithful, Green Disease, Marker In The Sand, Immortality, Down, Present Tense, State Of Love And Trust, Why Go, Save You, Porch
1st Encore: Inside Job, Parachutes, Crazy Mary, Do The Evolution, Alive
2nd Encore: No More, Bu$hleaguer, World Wide Suicide, Rockin' In The Free World, Indifference
This is like a journey - a sweaty trek through the Pearl Jam catalogue. The song choices are varied but the crowd knows them all. We're whipped into a frenzy by the single strum of a chord, snagged by riffs and hung up to dry by the slowies. Eddie drawls, "We've had greed, we've had religion, and we’ve had death... I want to follow it up by hope. This one's called 'Down'". There's more hope in this room than there is BO - and that's saying something. Like a man possessed, Vedder rocks back and forth, supported by a mic stand and the adoration of thousands. He looks good - the man is on fire.
Comparisons will be made to the 'Reading Experience' which I'm told was unbeatable. Comments on the ground floor hint that fans aren’t completely happy with the Wembley sound levels but from where I'm standing, there are no complaints needed. I guess first timers are easily impressed. I'm in a self-confessed Pearl Jam time warp... I love the old tunes and would have love a rendition of 'Rearview Mirror', ‘Animal’ or 'Betterman' but 'Evolution' and 'Alive' do the trick. The new stuff fuels Wembley's fire and I guess no one wants the same concert twice.
Special mention must be made of Mike McCready on lead guitar. If Vedder is the driving force of this band, McCready is the fuel injected engine that comes with it. The man has fun on stage - bouncing, guitar thrashing fun. It's something a lot of bands forget these days... and nothing whips a crowd up like a guitar wielding ball of energy.
The show goes on, and on... and on. Bladder issues aside, I still don't want it to end. As the temperature rises, Vedder sheds layers and beneath the 'No Crowd Surfing' signs, the crowd surfers do their thing. Crowd controllers pull the overwhelmed out from the heaving depths as the pulsating mass rocks back and forth. I'm beginning to see the logic in my seated decision. I've been a ‘mosh casualty’ before... as much as I love this band, I'm tiny and want to see the concert, not feel it directly in the rib cage.
Vedder may not swing from banisters this time round, but the amps are his playground. A few lucky front row punters are treated to a drink container and a tamborine or two; Mementos of a great night out with first class musicians.
As we leave the venue, Scotsman pipes up; "So what are you going to write? Can you just say 'amazing'?" Unfortunately, a one-word review isn't possible. I'm tempted to add an expletive for emphasis and sum it up in two... but this is a family site and there ain't no watershed on the Internet. I wish I’d seen all the concerts gone by and can’t wait for the next. As for the typical Pearl Jam fan? That box just isn't big enough. ‘Passionate about the music’ is the common thread - and to be honest, that's all that matters.
Were you there? What did you think? Was Reading better or did you too, experience the Pearl Jam power live for the first time? We want your reviews and comments. Post them in the comments section below.
Keep your eye on the site - we've got the audio from Vedder's mid-song banter coming soon.
Tags
concert, Pearl Jam, review, set list, wembley arena
Comments (10)
La Nouvelle Heloise
Hi Katie - loved reading your review! I was there - this was my 4th PJ gig and I hope there will be many more to come. PJ fans in my opinion belong to a unique fandom realm: obsession, love, dedication (all those pilgrimages!), suffering (to get hold of often elusive concert tkts), nurturing and pride - as if the band were our own children growing up so beautifully... But sometimes they are also the children inside ourselves, ready for another amazing musical adventure!
Posted on June 20, 2007 1:35 PM
Neil
Excellent review. My thoughts exactly.
It really felt like a 'fans' gig. The set list was amazing.
The closing track 'Indifference' just beautiful.
Don't leave it 7 years next time guys!
Posted on June 21, 2007 1:02 PM
Paula Clarkson
Great review. Fantastic gig. Even before entering the arena, outside the crowd were brilliant. As for the gig, PJ rocked. Saw them at Leeds last year, which until now had been my musical highlight. The great thing bout wembley gig was being surrounded by true PJ fans. The last 2 songs with all arena lights on was amazing!So many goosebump moments I cant begin to mention..! :-) x
Posted on June 21, 2007 3:50 PM
Georgie
It was an AMAZING gig, great review too. 4th time i've seen them, can't wait for the next time! Was in general admission (which was all fan club btw) and it went off. State of Love and Trust, Long Road, I got ID old school songs for the fans. Don't mind no rearview/daughter etc when they play songs like that. And finishing with Indifference. Could go on all nite. And the Boom Gasper thing - the chant is "BOOM". 3000 PJ Fan Club members on the floor at Wembley showing respect for a truly talented man! Make sure you see them again, it gets better and better!
Posted on June 21, 2007 8:44 PM
tom white
I was lucky enough to be at wembley arena 7 years ago for my first pj show and it was amazing,equally so was reading last year, but in terms of atmosphere and the crowd, this show was the best.I loved the setlist and never thought i would hear songs like state of love and trust, present tense and immortality live. The ticket cost me £80 and was worth every penny, i really can't think of a better live band in the world today.
Posted on June 22, 2007 11:27 AM
Krista Louise Scott
This was my fourth show (6 in total by end of the tour!) and I think your review was excellent! Having been at Reading last year,the bootleg of which still gives me chills, I just cant compare!We need bootlegs of the Europe tour-come on Ten club! I think the two have stuck in Eddies mind though as he mentioned Reading at London,then London in Dusseldorf last night so we in England clearly rocked his world! Ten club tickets on both occasions totally made it for me as once you have been that close to Ed(about 2 ft away in Lisbon) theres no going back-its those mesmerizing eyes-Wow! 3 out of the 5 shows Ive been to so far Eddie has been almost overwhelmed and brought to tears by the reaction that this mighty fine band get-its like he still cant believe the adoration they get and comes across humble but quietly confident in their abilities, with crowd interaction from all members of the band making it really special for those dedicated fans, like myself who are lucky to get a wave or gesture(see Ed at Lisbon end of show on youtube). At every show Ive seen, barring 2000 which seems a distant memory now, Mike was bursting with energy ripping through the solos like a crazy animal,(got a wave from him at London, was right in front of him)Stone constantly had a big grin on his face, Jeff bouncing around like a maniac which is nothing unusual, Matt giving it his all behind his kit and Eddie,well,I think you nailed it in your review! The man is clearly a master at his art and can still pull off every note with cd like quality! All in all of all the bands Ive ever seen live,which are a fair few I can tell you, Pearl Jam still remain at number one on my list!
Posted on June 22, 2007 7:31 PM
Siri
Great review! This was my second Pearl jam consert and it was awesome!
I travelled all the way from Oslo, Norway to see them and it was money well spent!
Posted on June 22, 2007 8:02 PM
Sty
HI,
You must have been right by us!! We were S5 row P seats 45 & 46!!!
Wasnt it amazing??
Have you got live at the gorge yet?? Thats amazing too.this was my first time in 16 years of seeing Pearl jam and its the best iv'e ever,ever been too!!!!!
Posted on June 29, 2007 12:52 PM
Kevin Gaffney
Well I too travelled from the Northern Reaches of the British Isles (Aberdeen) to watch the 5 gents who make up Pearl Jam. This was not my first experience (Leeds and London Previously), but all I can say in relation to the previous concerts, Pearl Jam only seem to get better! This time the tempo of the concert was electrifying! The band are 'tighter' than ever, as collectively they are sounding better than ever!
I cannot wait until the next time that I can experience such 'musical' greatness, and i will travel further than from Aberdeen if necc, as this was an gig that was worth every penny and mile travelled!
Posted on July 3, 2007 10:27 PM
Mike Leslie
It's a year on and I still, still get a shiver down my spine when I think about this gig. Simply awesome. And typically Pearl Jam. I was at Reading which was unspeakably incredible. But Wembley was just as good, but in a different way. Reading was a heavy set, filled with glorious moments for the masses. Wembley was something else - close and personal for the fans. And that's what makes this band so great. They love sharing the experience with the fans. A fantastic night, a fantastic band, and fantastic memories. Thank you PJ!
Posted on July 4, 2008 10:33 PM
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