Lets play a game of Jeopardy. The answer;

Exhausted. Beaten. Emotionally and physically drained.

The Question;

How did Tom Flynn feel the day of September the 22nd.

And to think that I had another night of it again.

The second night went down pretty much like the first, except for fewer tears ha ha. We arrived downtown with plenty of time to hang out and get prepared. Same friends, same parking lot, even the same bar as the night before were our “home bases” prior to the second night with the best band in the world.

Pearl Jam was playing the second of back-to-back nights in the Key Arena in Seattle Washington. For those that have never seen this band, SHAME ON YOU. For those that have never seen back-to-back nights in Seattle with Pearl Jam, it is a very different experience both nights.

So if night one was a “greatest hits” night, night two is ALWAYS a night of experiment and rarities. This time, was no exception.

After an emotional first night I was unsure what to expect for night two. Would we get “Evenflow” again? We surely were going to hear “State of Love and Trust”, right? There was no way that they would NOT end with “Yellow Ledbetter” was there?

The answers were no, no, and of course.

The night kicked off with a song I had never heard live before called “Sometimes.” From there, the night took unexpected turns with “Faithful” and “Lukin.” Then the biggest surprise of any show I had seen.

Now I have seen some shocking tunes pulled out of this band’s catalog. I was in the room when they teased “Dirty Frank” on the end of “Porch” only to hear an entire “Dirty Frank” a week or so later. But tonight was special.

See, “Dirty Frank” had been played 9 times in the band’s history, somewhere in 700+ shows, but “No Way” had been played 3 times prior to Eddie introducing the “Yield” deep cut. While 1/3 of the stadium went crazy the other 2/3 looked around as if they were playing a Jonas Brother’s tune.

I was on cloud nine.

The rest of the set was a blur until it was over. “Go” “Spin the Black Circle” “Black” “In My Tree” “Porch” and the uber-closer “Yellow Ledbetter” were all represented. Something was a bit different though, yet.

In those 700+ shows, this band has played a HUGE number of differing set lists. A few things were always constant. If you went to a Pearl Jam show you were going to see one or all of the following five songs. “Evenflow” “Alive” “Betterman” “Daughter” or “Corduroy.”

Imagine my shock when NONE of these songs were played. 27 songs and not a single “staple?” So if they played “No Way” 3 times prior to this moment, they had NEVER done that one. Amazing.

This band is truly amazing. Catering to the casual fan while blowing the long time fan’s mind at the same time is a difficult thing to do. In my concert going career I have found no other band that can do that. This is TRULY the best band in the world.

Night two was spectacular in a way that can not be compared to night one. While night one was one of emotion, night two was a WOW night. I am ever amazed at how this band translates to its fans.

So……..14 down and I might take off for Portland tomorrow and knock out #15 before I head to LA in a couple weeks for the smallest show I will have ever seen them at.

They never cease to amaze me.

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