There is no such thing as a run of the mill PJ show. They play with varying intensity, yes, but there's no other band that consistently performs at their level. Fans don't get setlists. There's nothing canned or contrived about the show.

Following the band across Europe??

Stop whatever you're doing right now and realize that you have the best job on the planet.

German football crowds (you meant soccer right?) are nothing like that ;-). Thursday night was simply crazy, but a perfect show. Let's hope they come back as soon as possible. And then they have to play "In My Tree" :D.

I appreciate your enthusiasm for the band and show - but a few things must be noticed:
1. From the setlists - I would not think of their American tours as "mill"
2. Rats is of Vs., their 2nd
3. I doubt you have ever been to what you call a "futbol" match - the typical german soccer atmosphere and folks are really different from what you experienced in the dome. I'd call the audience a very european rock audience.
4. the dome is an ice hockey arena - nothing to do with "futbol" at all...
5. to speak about the german crowd is not quite correct - I would call it a Benelux + German crowd, mixed with lots of American, Portugese and British folks...

But I do envy your job, it's the world's best currently :-)

Greetings from a non-futbolish german

Rats is off of the second album Vs. not the third album Vitalogy.

Every PJ show is unique, which is why we Jammers will travel far and wide to see them. The setlists are often made up just before taking the stage, and it changes as the show progresses depending on the mood.

One notable correction, Rats is from their 2nd album VS, not Vitalogy.

Enjoy the ride that is Pearl Jam. It's a hard habit to break.

Hey guy!

This was my second gig I had the luck to part of. I was part of those thousands of fans that had to see the shows they had tickets for, canceled due to the tragic insident that happend in Rosgilde a few years ago. But september last year my time had come and I was part of the show in Paris. Yes I was part of, bicause since I go to concerts, I never met a band that is able to make the people feel the music like Pear Jam is able to. Dusseldorf was a big proof how European public is able to get bands to the best of their performences. The set was mindblowing. Lots of non-commercial PJ songs. Lots of debut-album songs. And Mike McCready that gave us some great solos. Thanks Pearl Jam, waiting for more. Big Hands to German public.

A portuguise guy living in Luxemburg, that will defenetely go to Germany again for a PJ gig.

First of all: what a nice article! And thanks for the compliments.
I'm sure it must have taken you by surprise to see such a relaxed and outgoing German crowd. Usually the clichee German would be way more reserved and calm. But then again, the clichee German isn't a fan of Pearl Jam (though I agree, it was more of a European crowd).
Critics said the show had to be moved from LTU Arena to the ISS Dome because PJ couldn't sell out the venue. All I can say is, I'm glad it wasn't sold out. I enjoyed a smaller venue with die-hard fans!
I saw the show in Berlin last year and was glad to have them back in Germany so soon. Maybe all this energy and enthusiasm comes from the average PJ-fan in Europe being desperate for live shows. We're grateful for what we get since they don't choose to come over here all too often. And once it happens, we'll make the most of it. And best of all, the band does the same.
After Berlin, I was hoping they wouldn't wait another six years to come back and it seems they heard my prayers. Now I'm hoping this experience is reason enough to come back again soon!

Great Article! I can't wait to see and hear more. Safe travels.

[...] previous two Pearl Jam shows I attended in Düsseldorf and Copenhagen were “Ten Club shows,” meaning the band’s fan club (Ten Club) offers members [...]