Cleveland: A Fan's ReviewPassing of the Torch

[CMRS]

Let me preface this by saying I've been a fan of the Jacket since my first show in '02.  My last show was this past fall during their headlining run after the new album was released.  

I didn't get tickets for the Cleveland show until the morning of - a good move because they were in section #111, right next to the stage!  Best seats I've ever had for an arena show.

Upon completing a solo acoustic version of 'Last Kiss", Eddie Vedder introduces a "special band, please give them a warm welcome because this is the closest they will get to their hometown on this tour".  When they launched into "It Makes No Difference" by the Band - I was awestruck.  That was it for me.  Seeing one of rock's elder statesmen singing onstage with MMJ was amazing.  The harmonies were out of this world.  After the song, Jim gave a high five and said "Thanks, Ed".

I've never had more people come up to after a show (I was representing the Jacket on my chest) and ask me who in the hell that opening band was.  Pearl Jam fans are notoriously fickle.  And they were converted.

A wonderful show by a wonderful band.

[MBischoff]

My wife and I drove from Columbus to see the MMJ with Pearl Jam.  It was a great opening set.  They were tight from the beginning and the sound was great.  It is true that the arena was about 1/4 full when Vedder came out and did LAST KISS solo acoustic at exactly 7:30 PM.

I thought it was a nice gesture as it might bring in the Pearl Jam crowd from the concourse to see the opening band.  It didn't work for that, but I thought it was cool of him anyway.  Vedder stayed on stage for one song, and then MMJ leveled the place.  The appreciative applause grew after each tune as the Pearl Jam faithful slowly realized they were witnessing greatness.  Don't these people watch Austin City Limits?  

It wasn't until the after the first Pearl Jam wine break that they even came close to matching the energy of the MMJ set.  After the second break Pearl Jam did some classics, which generated a lot of crowd participation, but I would say that MMJ surprised a lot of Pearl Jam fans.  The first Pearl Jam set was weak, and I thought the let down after the MMJ set was obvious.  Just opinions.

I saw the Thanksgiving Show 2005 in Louisville at the Palace with my wife.  Best concert ever.  Fourth Row!

[BearCord]

"It makes no difference" rocked last night with Jim and Ed. I felt let down after the Jacket set as well. Good PJ show, but just not the same for some reason.

I guess I used all my energy up during MMJ's set.

[GilFisher]

It was my first MMJ show but I was anticipating it ever since PJ announced them as openers.  They were freakin' awesome Saturday night.  Their studio work seems so mellow and almost over-produced compared to what they sound like live.  They jam baby!  I've got tickets for Detroit and I'm as excited about seeing them again as I am about Pearl Jam.  It was a great night for both bands but I'm a PJ fan (especially after sharing a toast with Ed last night) and extremely fond of the way they pay homage to their influences as well as recognize up and coming talent when they select opening acts.

[jtrosper53]

I drove up from southeastern kentucky to cleveland for the show.  i seen the jacket several times in knoxville and bonnaroo so knew the pearl jam fans were in for a treat.  i have been a fan of pearl jam for quite a few years and was pumped to be seeing two of my favs tour together.  first of all cleveland was a wonderful city and the rock and roll hall of fame had some interesting features.  i met some very nice people who said they were originally from louisville but had transplanted to north carolina that were supporting the jacket.  highlight of the day for myself was going to pick up ten club tickets at quicken loans arena and seeing 5 very shaggy guys standing outside the venue.  knowing that i would probably never get a chance like this again my buddy and i decided to say hi.  let me say although they were in a hurry my morning jacket were nice enough to say hi and allow us to get a pic with them.  I just wanted to say thanks for a wonderful show and taking time to say hello to some fans.  cant wait to see you guys rock bonnaroo from midnight to 3 am in a few weeks.