Simply amazing.
I was privledged to witness this incredible gig. Was hyped for months leading into it and the boys did not disappoint again. Crappy venue sound wise but somehow PJ still managed to blow everyone away. Porch was sensational along with Present Tense and Corduroy.
Can't stop playing the bootleg, I get tingles each time I listen even after four months.
All I can say is thank you. Three years b/n gigs is hard work, but will take quality over quantity every time!

awesome band, awesome crowd, awesome show. i got tickets for my mate and myself through 10c. we went in early and my mate couldn't believe we were standing 20 meters away nearly directly in front. stoked that they played oceans and when they played 4 in a row from ten in the first encore in was insane it was what pj fans came to see. would have loved to hear i got shit or crazy mary but you can't win em' all, was awesome even without them.

I have to say that they are like a great bottle of red they only get better with time. Even now i can take a moment a work and close my eyes and see and here it all, still making me well up, still leaving me wanting more.

Another tour, another Melbourne crowd blown away. Another long wait for the next one. As for the set list debators, hey, "I'll ride the wave where it takes me" - it's Pearl Jam - there ain't no bad sets.

I was listening to Backspacer during my flight to Melbourne and found myself not really getting into it, save for one or two songs, "Fixer" and "Just Breathe" in particular, but looking forward to seeing PJ for the third time, and at a new venue. Tenclub members tickets were collected on Friday and a mad dash back to the motel for a quick change and back to Etihad to join the earlybird entry line of about 1500 people when I tacked on the end, with another 500 or so behind me in a matter of minutes. Walking into the stadium was quite surreal as I had seen AFL played here and a rugby league match, the stadium felt different from ground level, the atmosphere was not quite "electric" but more subdued, the crowd waiting patiently with a nervous energy hanging in the air, like a bunch of little kids waiting to see Santa for the very first time. Positioned about 20 metres from the stage in "Fixer Field", I waited and chatted idly to friends, eyes flitting to the stage at any sign of movement in the area. Liam Finn warmed the crowd with an amazing energy and his use of "looping" instruments was nothing short of genius as he unleashed his music upon us and left nothing in the bank when he departed just 30 minutes later. Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 lit up the stadium for around 50 minutes, with a perfect setlist, highlighted by the duet with EV of the Queen/Bowie classic, "Under Pressure" and Harper's prowess on the slide guitar. Then PJ hit the stage. beginning with "Elderly Woman" was a masterstroke, (my tip was "Corduroy" which came second) and set up the remainder of the night. With an unbridled energy typical of PJ, EV and the lads blew the roof off Etihad. Vedder's ability to belt out a song then turn up the house lights and check if the crowd was doing ok, is amazing, while the other guys put everything they had into every note non stop for the first 80 odd minutes and we, the fans, bounced, banged, rocked and sang every word with them, especially with "Richo's" song, "Given to Fly" and a rare live performance of "Oceans", an absolute treat for all in attendance. The first encore was a powerful set on it's own with a Neil Young cover followed by the incredible new song "Just Breathe". Also, featuring an appearance from Ben Harper and four in a row from "TEN". Again they vacated the stage and we were left sweat soaked and wanting more. Encore 2 kicked off with Liam Finn joining EV for the Hunters' classic and included a couple of gems with "Baba O'Riley" and "Spin the Black Circle" alongside "TEN" classics "Black" and Alive", finishing with the house lights up and a memorable rendition of "Yellow Ledbetter" to end the night. So they didn't play "Betterman", does that really matter? I thought the setlist was perfect and filled with many highlights that I felt privileged to have been witness to. On my flight home, I settled into "Backspacer" again, finding a new sense of joy from the latest offering from PJ after hearing it live, it kind of made more sense. I will be back to see PJ next time they grace our shores, whatever venue they choose to play. Santa arrived early for this "little kid".

Where to start? Three days on and I'm still on a high from the greatest concert ever!

Firstly, thank you to all the 10 Club members. The 12 hour wait outside the stadium in 36 degree weather follwed by a dust and electrical storm made the experience a little more pleasant. Then once we entered the stadium where I expected it to be survival of the fittest and an absolute shit fight, was surprised by all of you that were so calm and polite. I made it to the barrier and wasn't even brushed up against by anyone throughout the entire show! What a great group of fans! Thank you.

What a massive opening...Elderly Women, it brought me to tears.
A highlight that just took me straight back to my teenage years, locked away in my bedroon listening to Pearl Jam, were the 4 tracks from Ten. Jeremy, Deep, Why Go and then Porch! It totally peaked during Deep & Why Go with the crowd rocking out old school style.
Indifference! A moment I will remember forever, which again had me in tears.
As some others have mentioned, I have to think twice before it hits me that they did actually play Oceans!
And Mike McCreedy, what a fucking rock star!
It was so good to see Ed, Jeff, Mike, Stone & Matt just loving being there with us.

Someone on here mentioned that they heard someone after the show say 'they didn't play Betterman, how disappointing'. I agree, how ungreatful. They didn't play my favourite either but they made up for it with playing all my other ones....and then some!
And what a way to go out! When Eddie jumped into the crowd, my heart stopped for a split second. I had said at the start of the night that I would bet Eddie was going to do it, no one believed me...I was right!

To add to the Rod Laver vs Etihad Stadium debate, I must say that if I had been in the stands I would have been heart broken. Pearl Jam have such a massive following in Australia that now spans 3 generations. Rod Laver give the crowd a much even level of viewing and sound quality, where as the stadium does not. I have seen them twice at Rod Laver in both the upper & lower levels and have been more than happy both times. In the stands at the stadium you are too far back and the sound can be delayed, which must have been so disappointing for many people. It could also explain why I couldn't see anyone rocking out in the stands! Most people remained seated.
Hopefully they will return to Rod Laver next time. I can't wait to take my son with us. As he is only 2, I figured he was a bit to young just yet.

Thank you so much to the band for an amazing night and all the years of music you have given us. I know that for me (and fans around the world), Pearl Jam mean so much to me. This experience is one that I will never get over and that very few people in my life can relate to, but I know that the fans on here get it!

Come back soon.

I was about 6-7 rows from the front barrier- we stood for around 6 1/2 hours - it was about 45 degrees in the mix - i perspired more than a normal person should - i had a mosher kick me in the back of the scone - and it was the most highlight full show i've seen them do live (in person or on dvd). There were covers with Ben Harper early in his set, Throw Your Arms Around Me with Liam Finn (and i'm a big Hunters and Collectors fan and used to see them live A LOT) and it was chilling, personal song sets, blow the roof off sets etc etc etc One thing i'd like to do is thank the organisation of the passing out of water constantly by security and looking after us so well in the mix - awesome job guys.
Cheers, Kieren

It's been a couple of days now so I thought I'd better check this page just to make sure that they did actually play oceans and that I didn't just dream it up. Seems as if they did really play it... or maybe I'm still dreaming.

I have seen the band 8 times now, including the last show of 3 in Seattle in 2000 - this was the best. The first 30 mins were like a lightning bolt! Mike doing laps of the stage during the last few songs was great, and Matt drumming and singing, what a legend. Ed, Stone & Jeff going for it all night.

The fact that Ed stopped, turned the lights up and asked if we were all ok just shows how great a man he really is. Respect to the greatest band on earth

Quote: "Nothing compares to one of their shows. Nothing compares to the senstation, expectation leading in.
Tonight I cant help but think, as part of that warm reflection afterglow, in that blissed/blessed time after a PJ show, how have they have been able to keep it together, musically, mentally, physically etc, then remain capable of new material & a live show that produces perfect rock posture, emotive eloquence, quiet strength, deluxe guitar/drum dirge & dirt, all the while appearing to do it without pretense, but with vigour and a positive motivation. Combine all the ingredients, sprinkle in the PJ majick dust, and you end up with a show that has that indefinable, unique (and all too transient) ability to take you 'there'....."

WOW! You summed up exactly what I feel, but was never able to put into words. BRAVO!!!

what more can i say....AMAZING!

in the lower section,about 3/4 of the way down the oval.

Yeah agreed it was little hard to connect but overall PJ did a great job of getting across such a large venue.My concern, and this a recent crowd observation of a few other gigs too,was the complaining about people standing and rocking out! got told to sit down numerous times,and considering the heavier nature of the set list,I just don't get?I's a fucking rock concert! My guess a big MMM contingency had shown up!

Apart from that brilliant set!they are so tight,which they always have been,no Johnny Guitar and was praying they would do Down but can't win ew all haha

Greatest show I've ever seen them perform.
Total departure from the intimate nature of the previous show. The night was all about rocking the fark out.
Very loud set and enthusiastic crowd.
The needle & the damage done was quite a moment.