62strat said:
Man I'm torn on whether or not to go to Pearl Jam.
I bought the tickets third party back in March of 2020, so it's been a while, and that money is sunken at this point. I could probably sell for $1000 (front row club level) and profit a few hundred bucks.
Reality is, I like Ten front to back, then for vs and vitalogy, I like the singles, and that's where it ends with me.
Looking at setlists, it's of course all over the place.. back in may they had cameron out from covid, and had Krusen sit in one night, and played nearly all of Ten; that would have been a dream setlist.
The most recent 6-7 shows they play anywhere from 3-4 songs off ten, then maybe another single off vs/vitalogy, so it's a lot of money to see 6-7 songs.
Though the other night at MSG, they played 10 songs off the first two albums, plus chloe dancer/crown of thorns. I would be elated to get a setlist like that and wouldn't even question going.
As much as I respect artists like them that change it up every night.. and I mean completely different sets, it sure doesn't help a fan like myself who only knows/likes a third of their catalog.
I really wish I could find out what they are playing!
I've never seen them. My wife was a die hard fan in when they burst on the scene and met them and saw them in 93/94 or so, but hasn't seen them since as her fandom depth is just like mine.. it stops at vitalogy.
Their US album sales, in album order, are 13x plat, 7x plat, 5x plat, plat, plat, then gold for most recent 6, so clearly a lot of fans are just like me. It's a wonder they don't consistently put a lot more of their classic stuff in shows.
To compare, I've seen Alice in chains about 10 times since 2007ish, and every show is 75% '90-'95 hits, with a few of whatever is new sprinkled in. They seem to get it.
Since I reread this, I have to highlight a few parts:
-They don't change up the setlists all that much like a jamband would. Maybe just the order, but they'll still likely play a ton of the the massive singles you liked off of "Ten", "Vs", and "Vitalogy". Each to their own, but "No Code" and "Yield" are incredible albums right after.
-"No Code" threw a lot of people off after the mainstream success of those first three, and it still may not do it for you, but I'd encourage you to give it another listen. To me it's a true masterpiece and the sign of a great band that can shy away from radio hits and do their own thing and it happens to be my favorite of theirs.
-Jealous of your wife seeing and meeting them my freshman year of high school. Surprised she lost interest after Vitalogy but y'all are not alone. But for a die hard fan, it seems you're few and far between.
-Layne Staley has been dead for 20 years now so of course the great Alice in Chains will be playing most of the 90's hits. They've put out mildly decent albums since imo (and admittedly I have not seen them since) but imagine Pearl Jam without Vedder? There is no replacement for either.
*I say all the above not to sound negative but rather just to encourage you to GO! And then post about your experience and pics. I think you'll both love it all.