Email : gseguin@nycap.rr.com

My Pearl Jam concert experiences and travels...

I bought 'Ten' in August 92 after all my friends were raving about the Saratoga Lollapalooza show.  Unfortunately, I missed the concert.   By September I could not take the CD out of my player.  I first saw what they looked like when a friend said they would be on the MTV Video Music Awards (9/9/92).  I watched the VMAs just to see the band that made this great music.  Their performance was epic and I had a new favorite band!  Here is a list and description of my live experiences.  Some of my stories cross-over with Jessica's.  She has some pictures also.  Read them HERE

  Springfield 94 : Tickets went on sale unannounced and I pulled to the side of the road and called from a payphone at a gas station.  I had heard an announcement on a radio station on my way home from work.  I got general admission (floor).  The Atlanta (4/3/94) broadcast was a nice warm-up for this show.  I sat in my apartment bedroom listening to the radio knowing I was going to see them on Wednesday. Drove out with my friends Ted, Craig, Shaun and Orion.  I was 30 feet from the stage on the floor for the main set.  They had basketball figures and candles on all the amps.  I knew I was at the right place!  Ed came out wearing an army jacket (that he wore all the time in 93/94) and had his black telecaster with the 'skateboarding is not a crime' bumper sticker.  He then ripped into 'Rearviewmirror'.  Mike was wearing a black southern rock-style hat.  I made it close to the front for 'Blood'.  I noticed Ed's boots were taped up with duct tape.  I found it kind of funny..and cool, but for some reason I remember that. 

Really cool strobe light during the 'Porch' jam.  It was intense and the entire arena was light..then dark...light...dark..etc..  Ed spun the mic around and with the strobe light it looked like a flip show.  I got tired of fighting the crowd and went back near the soundboard for the encores.  Best 'Spin the Black Circle' ever.  During the beginning of the song Ed went to the back of the stage near the amps and spun the mic cord like a jump rope but in a corkscrew fashion to fit the theme of spinning.  Looking back the entire encore was amazing.  'Yellow Ledbetter' before it was big, 'Outta my Mind', 'My Generation' and 'Rockin in the Free World'.  When I got back to the car and realized I was drenched in sweat.  My first PJ show and I wanted more.  This show did not disappoint.  

Randall's Island 96 : The best show ever in my opinion.  Beautiful night, cool breeze, stars poking through the clouds. Drove to NYC and went with my friend Craig's brother and his friend. I waited 2 1/2 years to see PJ again and they gave a great 3 hour performance. I was 50-60 feet from the stage in front of Mike. Nice view and sound.  They fulfilled my high expectations.  Maybe that is why I like this show so much.  Waiting so long to see them again built up my expectations and they blew them away.  During the 'Rearviewmirror' jam Ed was doing some awesome windmills.  I turned around and noticed the crowd went on FOREVER. There was a ton of people there.  Ed led the crowd in a great sing-along during 'Daughter'.  I found myself singing.   Ben Harper opened and I was amazed.  I had some albums to buy!

  Meadows 96 : I got these from the Fan Club...Lawn (sigh). But there was FC ticket problems in 96 and some people did not get any at all. Also, I dislike it when people complain about the FC seats, so I won't.  Front and center lawn with my bud Craig (who made the mistake of drinking to many beers and had to keep running to the bathroom during the show!) . Only PJ show I have been on the lawn.  Not a great view but the sound was nice.  I could see Mike and Jeff and sometimes Ed.  But  I saw more riot police than PJ..'Rearviewmirror' and 'Black' were stand-outs at this show. Ed's voice during 'Present Tense' floated over me and into the night sky..just perfect.  Ed wanted the crowd to sing during 'Daughter'.  Again, I was singing :-)

  Maui 1 98: OK, OK. I won this trip from a radio station. WEQX Manchester, VT. I called all Friday night and Saturday. Finally got through Saturday afternoon.  That just put me in the running. They picked my name out of a hat on air at 9 am on Monday, February 2.  I could not believe it was me that won.  My hands got numb immediately.  Not only did I get through on the phones I was 1 of 25 names in the hat.  I called the station (a little excited) and they put me on the air.  They were going to mail the plane and concert tickets to me but I could not wait. I drove to Vermont in a snowstorm just to hold the tickets in my hand.  It was so surreal.  Everyone at the radio station was excited for me. 

Got my bud Ted to go and away we were.  I can't judge this show really because I knew I could not afford it and never really expected to be a '7th caller' let alone win.  I was just so happy to be there.  Met my PJ bud John before the show and we have been friends since.  Ended up on Stone's side 10-15 feet in front of the barricade.  Stone played some bongos during the 'Even Flow' solo which fit the mood of the islands.  I was right in front of Jeff for 'Smile' and watched every note of his solo. Mid-January sitting at my house wishing I could be there and *boom* three weeks later I'm there.  The size of the venue shocked me as I walked in.  It was much smaller than I expected. 

  Maui 2 98: I came down to earth and was ready for night two.  The crowd was pushy the night before so we found a nice spot on Mikes side 35-40 feet in front of the stage.  Clear, cool night, ocean breeze, palm trees around, dormant volcano to our backs..Oh, did I mention there really was no stage at this 'amphitheater' . They set up a tent.  I remember closing my eyes and just soaking up the  music..'Daughter'..'Immortality'.. 'Around the Bend' was a real treat.  Stone played organ during 'Around the Bend' and Mike sat on the stage next to the amps.  It was just beautiful.  Ted and I stayed on Maui another 4 days on the radio stations tab.  A great experience for a life-long PJ fan.

  Tibetian Concert 98 : Went to DC to see my bud, Larry and see some great bands..Pearl Jam, Radiohead, REM. We were there on Saturday and only about 100ft from the lightning when it hit.  We were happy to hear no one was hurt.  Even though this ticket for Sunday is for the upper deck,  my friend Mark and I jumped the fence to the floor.  Ended up about 125-150 ft. in front of the stage for all the acts that afternoon.  Eager to hear Matt C. on drums and it was nice to see PJ.  Short and standard festival set but I did expect that.  They did not really get rolling until 'Better Man' which, unfortunately, was their last song.  Ran into my friend Orion (who had moved to Virginia) and did not know he was going.  Small world.  Drove down and back with Mark and we listened to Melbourne 98 all the way through on the way back without saying a word.  We each made lists of our top 10 albums, shows, movies, etc,  of all time....OK, it was a long ride. 

  Montreal 98 : Fan Club seats. 6th row center. Solid show. Nice seats. The crowd was LOUD and totally pumped.  I went with my friend Shaun.  I wanted to hear 'Hard to Imagine'.  They had been soundchecking it all tour and they delivered.  After years of listening to Cheap Trick finally got to see them !  They played a set of some of their older stuff and I thought it was awesome.  Had to pull out the vinyl when I got home.  After the show we had a few beers in my favorite pub on Peel St.  Only pub I know that serves Smithwick's outside of Ireland. Pearl Jam in a great city. What a combination !

  East Rutherford 98 : My seats were upper deck on Mike's side.  Even with the stage.  Nice view but poor sound.  Too much echo up that high.  I later got a tape of the show and I think I enjoy that more than the show.  Not a bad show but my experience was only so-so.  Not every show is the best thing ever ! I'd do it 100 times if I had to again.  It was cool when Ed said 'How's everyone in 215!' Well, I guess we were OK..just a little to close to the rafters.

  MSG 2 98 : Saw this ticket on TM online six weeks after the show was 'sold out'. Friday night, Shaun can go..let's do it. Meet John for a beer in a NYC bar before the show.  Great seats, half court - halfway up, Mike's side.  Great sound, great show.  I don't think it was the best ever or even that year.  I think Randall's Island 96 and Constitution Hall were better. But a top five show for sure.  MSG is so historic it added to the performance.  Opening with 'Release' I knew that this night would be special.  The band was in top form.

  Meadows 98 : Shaun and I drove out early and hung out in the lot before the show.  Landed a nice seat.  17th row, center.  Great score for another quality show.  Sold my old tickets (lawn) for face value in the lot.  Security was awful. There was a pile of backpacks near the gate that people abandoned.  They let nothing in the venue.  I brought mine back to the car.  They were just as bad inside the theater. I saw them tell people to sit down ( this a rock concert! ) put out cigarettes ( yes, cigarettes ) and smelled pepper spray. Shaun saw someone get sprayed.  Great show and it was nice of the band to notice the security problem.  When Ed told everyone to 'dance in the aisles' everyone went to the aisles.  But I stayed and stood on the ARMS of my chair.  There I was all alone, 17th row, center, hands in the air, standing on the arms of my chair.  I remember Jeff looking at me during 'Porch' like I was nuts, or I think he was waiting for me to fall off.  

  Merriweather 98 : Went down to see Larry again.  Met my 'Maui' bud John.  All I could manage was lawn but John had 20th row center.  I was on the lawn until 'Daughter' then John came up with an extra stub and got me inside.  THANKS John! That is what being a fan is about.  Another solid show with good view and sound.  Even my view from the lawn was nice for as little as I was on it.  For the second encore we went right up the aisle to the front.  Essentially, I went from the very back, at the beginning, to the very front at the end.  Not Bad !

  Constitution Hall 98 : Again John hooked me up with a seat. Nice seat in an intimate venue. Stone's side, halfway up the stands near the stage. Great show.  3000 great fans that hung on every note.  Met my friend Jess there. I had traded online with her and we end up sitting next to each other.  Small world.  The best performance and set in 98 in my opinion.  'Act of Love' was a total surprise.  'All those Yesterdays', 'Push me, Pull me' and 'Soldier of Love' sounded great.  I felt sad walking out not knowing when I'd get to see PJ again.  

  Bellingham 00  : It has been a dream of mine to see PJ in a small theater.  John and I worked out the tickets, well mostly John and I was off.  Stayed with John's cousin 2 nights and my aunt and uncle in Oak Harbor the last.  Met Ryan Bowman hanging around outside.  I knew him from trading circles and he was traveling with Jess for the 2000 tour.  Really small world.  Then my seat ends up next to Ryan.  Really, really small world. Great show.  Got to meet Mike, Jeff and Matt outside.  They were all nice.  Heard 'Binaural' before it was in stores....Oh yeah!   Did I mention I was 4th row center..in a theater..nice.

  Jones Beach 2 00  : I skipped the first night to save a little vacation time for the West leg.  John flew from LA and with my girlfriend, Renae, we drove down to meet Ryan and Jess.  Met more people I knew from online : Manish, Chris Doerr, Olivier.   Good show broadcast on KROCK in New York City.  'Daughter' was amazing. The 'It's OK' tag was perfect and the crowd sang along.  Once again, I was singing (see Randall's Island and Hartford 96).  'Rival' was better than I expected to sound live.  Sat behind the soundboard with Ryan and Jess until 'Do the Evolution' when the real owners of the seats showed up.  We then went to our seats a little farther back. Halfway up the first stadium level, Mike's side. Still nice. 

  Jones Beach 3 00 : Spent the day in the lot and at the beach hanging with Renae, John, Ryan and Jess.  Worked the ticket game all day for an upgrade.  Had seats similar to night two (lower stadium) but ended up with floor seats. 40th (?) row Stone's side.  The floor is pitched toward the stage so these seats were real nice.  This show does not get the recognition it deserves.  Another great NYC performance on a beautiful night.  Best of first leg for sure.  A show for the 'history books'  in my opinion.  Best 'Jeremy' I have ever heard and 'Baba' rocked the house.  A great group of songs finished the main set : 'Present Tense', 'Given to Fly', 'Thin Air', 'Off He Goes', 'Black' (with a nice groove by Stone after Mike's awesome solo), 'Jeremy' and 'Immortality'.  Walked by the soundboard on the way out and saw the setlist sitting there.  I asked and got it.  A setlist from a historical show.  woo hoo! 

Saratoga 00 : Where do I start? PJ in my hometown.  Fan Club puts Renae and I front row Center.  Holding Ed on the barricade for 'Porch' (see story). I was able to snag Ed's setlist after the show. Words really can't describe. Ryan, Jess, John and Bruno (trading bud from Montreal) crashed at my place.  Shaun, Ted ( and his soon-to-be Mary ), Dave, Mark and Amy - all my friends were there and we hung out all day. My uncle ushered us to our seats (really, it was a hometown show!) .  He works summers at SPAC.  I danced so much I lost eight pounds. I could go on forever...Oh, a quality show also.  I don't think it will EVER get better than this.

  Boston 1 00 : Last show of the first leg for me.  Drove out with Shaun and Mark.  Bruno came with us but he met up with some friends and stayed for night two.  Quality show with nice view and sound. Sat 30 ft to the side (Mike's) of the soundboard.   The seats came from a friend who got an upgrade and gave us his old ones before the show.  I really needed this show to come back to earth after my Saratoga experience.  Mike destroyed another guitar during 'Porch'.  I really started to see Mark turn into a a big fan.  He was not a huge fan and now he wanted to see more! Unfortunately, this was his last show.  The 3 hour drive home seemed to go fast.  I was not sure I was going to this show until about a week before and I'm glad I went.  

Montreal 00 : I was excited for this show..being the first show of the 'Western leg' and PJ's first show in a month.  Renae and I drove up an met up with Jess, Ryan and Bruno.   It was great to hang out with those guys again.  They left for Toronto after the show so we only hung out before the show.  Sarah and Carolina (who I met in Saratoga) made a banner and a ton of people signed it.  There must have been 100 signatures on it.  I think I signed something like 'Maui to NYC to Bellingham to Montreal.. Glenn from Albany.'  They had first row and ended up tossing it on stage at the end of the show (see photo).  Ed read it and took it with him.  Pretty cool. We used Renae's fanclub seats.  She ended up with 8th row on Stone's side.  Ryan wanted to upgrade and the box office had a seat on the section next to Mike.  Renae did not want 8th row and ended up trading with Ryan for that seat.  She insisted (please don't think I abandoned my girlfriend!). As it turns out she had a front row in the section next to Mike's equipment and got a pick from the soundcheck.  Her seat was better than 8th row that Ryan and I sat in. Plus she loves Mike and she had a great view of him all night.

The show had a lot of energy and Stone was totally rockin' the first few songs.  Then Stone's equipment cut out.  He did not even play during 'Grievance' and Andy (his tech) was scrambling around.  The band played 'Last Kiss' while Stone stood there waiting to get his gear fixed.  Finally, his equipment was ready and they busted into 'Do the Evolution' .  Stone had some more problems during 'Better Man' and that was it after that.  Andy did an awesome job getting the gear fixed in front of 20,000 people.  The equipment seemed to affect the mood of the band.  They did the best they could but because of the equipment could not really cut loose.  'Porch' was nice and had a sing-along which was cool. 'Off He Goes' was a nice opener for the encore and Stone played it sitting in a chair.  Mike was just perfect all night.  Ryan and I had a great time and we could see Renae dancing the whole time.  Overall, we all had fun but the show was not one of the best..had potential though.  Still nice to see them in Montreal, the fans are unbelievable in that city!

Las Vegas 00 : I wanted to see some west coast shows but time and money cut into what I wanted to do.  I was going to do the whole weekend but decided in August to cut it down to one city.  I chose Vegas because Southwest has great deals out of Albany.  I did not realize until August that it was the 10th anniversary show!  PJ's first show was 10/22/90 and word was the band was excited for this show.  Renae and I flew Southwest and spent the weekend in Vegas.   We had upper deck seats but went to the box office on Sunday and met up with John and Ryan.  Met my friend Markus from Italy who I have traded CDs with since 1997.  We tried to meet in Munich in 1999 but it did not happen.  It was nice to meet him.  We all upgraded when they opened a new section on the side of the stage and our little group bought the entire first row.  Great Seats.  The sound was nice also.  I was a little concerned about the sound (like E. Rutherford 98) but it was perfect this time.  Ryan landed a 'miracle' when he got a first row seat.  He met a guy who had an extra.  We were excited for him.  In my photo #14 you can see him a little farther back in the front row with his arms in the air.  He had more energy than anyone in the front and in my opinion was MVP of the row.  I had my front row experience and now so did he...!

The band was celebrating and totally stoked.  They played a flawless, high energy show.  'Dissident' and 'Nothing as it Seems' seemed to be played perfect.  I just closed my eyes and listened.  People were talking about the soundcheck but I avoided such spoilers.  Then the encore : 'Crown of Thorns' an old Mother Love Bone song! It sounded fantastic..!  Then 'Can't help falling in Love with you'! An Elvis cover..wow.  Tim Burton was right below us side stage.  Nicolas Cage was on the opposite side.  Everyone blew up balloons before the encore and sang 'Happy Birthday' as the band came out.  They loved it.  Our section was enthusiastic and a 'Happy Birthday' sign made its way to the rail in front of us.  Ed acknowledged it (photo 27) and pointed up to thank us. It was not my doing but I helped put it up.   What a way to end my 'Binarual tour' !!

Bridge School 2001 Night One : In June or July when Pearl Jam announced they were playing the Bridge School Benefit shows I started making plans.  I started to hear from all my PJ friends all over the country and it seemed like everyone was going ! To see PJ acoustic is an opportunity I could not pass up.  I went to see Ben Harper in Montreal the same weekend of Bridge in 1999 and I  could not make the trip in 1994 or 1996.  This time there was nothing else going on and I had the vacation time.  I never saw Neil in concert and wanted to see him for a long time.  As the summer rolled on the lineup kept getting better...Neil, PJ then Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, REM and Tracy Chapman.  Then Pearl Jam and REM announced a benefit show in Seattle on Monday ! This was going to be a great weekend ! 

I met up with Ryan, Jess, John, Mike Dolin and we checked out San Francisco on Friday.  The city is much bigger than I expected and the biggest city I've seen outside New York or London.  The record stores are amazing.  After we checked out some cool clothing and record stores we hung out at he hotel.  Drinking some beers and catching up on stories from the past year.  

The Amphitheater is really nice and there is not a bad seat in the place. For the first night we sat on the upper side section only a few rows back.  Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn sat in the boxes in front of us.  Pearl Jam came on before Neil and I thought all the acts were great that day.  Bridge School would be an annual event for me if I did not live 3000 miles away.  I ran into Steph from Montreal (she sat next to me at Saratoga) and we were guessing the opener.  We both guessed wrong when they opened with 'Long Road'. 'Of the Girl' was a perfect second song.  It was good to hear 'Daughter' again.  Some people were sick of it but I had not heard it in my last three shows - Boston one, Montreal and Las Vegas.   'Drifting' was a surprise and 'Crazy Mary' was the best version ever.  Mike could not stay in his seat during the solo !  They played it with passion.  'Last Soldier' was a new song and I did not think that they had been writing new stuff.  Another surprise. Ben Harper came out and joined the band for 'Indifference'.  To hear Pearl Jam acoustic under a crisp, star-lit California sky was amazing.  

Bridge School 2001 Night Two : Upon returning on Friday from San Francisco we heard that the band soundchecked 'Low Light'.  I thought that we would get it Saturday and when that did not happen I really hoped for it Sunday.  We hung out at the venue all morning and I met some more people who I knew from online : Dan and Rich.   I ran into Olivier again.  We met in Jones Beach last year and he flew all the way from Switzerland for these shows.  

Once inside, our seats were behind the soundboard toward the back of the pavilion.  Nice straight view of the stage.  The sun was beating down and I got a little burned.  It is always nice to go home to the northeast in late October with some color ! Pearl Jam and REM took the stage earlier because they wanted to leave for Seattle.    I sat on the lawn with Eric and Kirsten, friends from San Jose, and watched REM with them.  The lawn had a nice view.  I went back and met up with John and Julie for Pearl Jam.   Pearl Jam took the stage next and it was perfect timing.  At dusk with the sky changing from blue to red to black during their set.  Another new song 'I am Mine', which I loved.  Then 'Low Light' ! Finally after 3 1/2 years they play it !  It was tight - like they've been playing it all along.  'Black' is always a treat and 'Gimme some truth' is a great cover that they really get into.  Ed really seems to put a little extra into it.  Ben joined the band again for 'Indifference' !  Two nights in a row...wow!  To this point I've heard 'Indifference' 3 times and each time with Ben Harper.  Madison Square Garden 1998 and these past two nights.  I feel blessed.  All the artists were great and Pearl Jam was magical.  Under a clear sky and fresh air made the music sail into the evening.  The feeling I had when Pearl Jam was playing was like the feeling in Maui.  Very similar vibes.

We went for a bite to eat and got back to the hotel late.  John had to head back to L.A. in the morning and I found Olivier on my flight to Seattle.  We chatted a long time in the terminal and looked forward to the Seattle show.

Seattle Groundworks Benefit : Landed, got the rental car and went right to the venue where Ryan, Jess, Rich and others were waiting.  Ryan was a true friend and hooked me up with a 11th row seat.  We all played the ticket game and it seemed that everyone made out.  Helped Dan and Rich sell their extras before we headed into the venue.  I was excited to see Pearl Jam in Key Arena.  I skipped the Seattle shows last time but at least I made it for this, what I considered their final encore to those great Seattle 2000 shows.  Even if it is a year later. 

The 11th row was perfect and the view was nice.  On Stones' side similar to my Montreal 2000 seat. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was really neat.  Amazing musicians from Pakistan.  Pearl Jam came out after a short gig by 'Spoonman'.  They were pumped and ready.  Stone was really into it and seemed glad not to be in a seat.  Not only was he rockin' he was hitting the groves perfect.  Mike was all over the stage and jumping off the monitors.  Matt had a new kit and it sounded better than the kit he toured with in 2000.  I could totally hear a difference.  'Insignificance' was great and they extended the bridge a bit with Ed playing an E-bow.  I always thought that song could be jammed more (like Rearviewmirror) and it sounded great.  The two highlights were a ripping 'Do the Evolution'  Best version I have heard since Maui night two.  Stones' solo was cranked loud and I loved it.  The closer was an unforgettable 'Long Road'.  I knew 1/3 into the song that this was a special version played with extra care.  Then Rahat came out and took it to another level.  That was the highlight of the entire evening.  The set was a little short but it was a benefit and I expected it to be so.  I knew going in that they would only get an hour but I wish the organizers would have let them come out for one more....but then again they could not top 'Long Road' and it was best to leave on such a great musical moment.   

After the show we went to a party at Chris' house north of Seattle.  We hung out for quite a long time.  I was really tired when I realized that back home it was 7 am ! Damn jet lag.  It was a sad moment not knowing when I would see everyone again.  I said my goodbyes and when I went to say goodbye to Olivier  I offered a hand shake and he gave me a big hug.  I had a great time and only wish Renae could have gone.  But she had special-ed kids to teach.  I was at bridge school and she was actually teaching similar kids.  She would have loved it but I called with updates throughout.  The next tour can't come soon enough ! 

KEY ARENA - December 2002 !