Bobcat- Bobcat-Suspense is killing me and I feel your pain with the Mrs. I am really hoping she maintained for the night.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Yep, they did it. Release opener, my favorite one. Normally I'm not taking a million pics or videos, but being where we were I came home with alot, and Release was obviously one of the best one's. Amazing crowd singalong in Milan...Ed didn't take long to let us take over as he gave us both "Ooooohhhh" parts after the first verse. Here is a decent video I found...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KTY-qFHdAo
I'm numb at this point just one song in, but as I mentioned earlier we did manage to veer away from the monster in front of us as they took the stage. Nothingman, always pleased to hear...and then Sirens (good crowd at the end), one of the best off the new album. Off to a great start, and then they pull a twist and throw Black into the clean up spot. Looks like it's been early in a few shows after Milan, but it wasn't in Amsterdam and I don't recall such placement in the last round of shows. People are really excited around me and I have to video this one, which turns out to be a great one. Crowd was top notch again "I'm SPINNING" and other parts. We even kept the dododododododo's going after the song.
So now I'm ready to get it going, one of my favorite parts of any PJ show, after the great start. They smash into GO and the place erupts. Near perfect for me as I love Go and they really fired through this one. I look at the wife, who started recording on her phone during Black, and somehow she manages to keep it going even as they segue into Do The Evolution. She got all the way to the Hallelujah part and then stopped...pretty nuts. DTE was real loud and there was some unbelievably great crowd chanting. Corduroy, enough said. They really turned up the heat.
Time to cool off as Ed speaks some Italian and they move into Lightning Bolt. This song has grown on me alot and I think it's pretty sweet live. Then after MYM, what might have been the rarest song of show --> Pilate! Killer tune. Before the show I noticed a sign in front of me, and there were not many surprisingly, requesting MFC. I wonder if he noticed it during the preshow Porch or if it was just luck for that person. He threw in a "little car" reference which I don't think is the normal words...but regardless was pretty funny to me because people drive small ### cars in Italy, probably to navigate the narrow streets. It was one of the first things that stood out to me in our first stop, Rome.
I think you guys get the picture here...loud engaged crowd that rocked all night. Panning around the crowd, whether Ed called for the lights or not, was pretty magical. I will say it wasn't one of Ed's best shows vocally, but it was real hot out, I'm sure uncomfortable for him. He was also limping very noticeably during the 2nd encore and he'd favor one leg when he jumped. Didn't notice it all show, but there were rumblings that he injured his knee before this show. Also, I'm really glad I won my 2nd choice of GA over seats in the bowl. It enhanced the experience even more...and I wouldn't hesitate going GA again at a show. Thought I was beyond those days, but it was fun as hell.
Here are a few more highlights:
Even Flow - ummm, am I typing this right? Yes, this is my piss song normally where usually I get back during the solo. But I really did enjoy this one, probably because of the crazy Italians, and the solo was excellent by Michaelangelo McCready.
Elderly - HELLO...well that was pretty cool.
Just Breathe - I believe Ed dedicated it to his wife, who was stage side, and he said they met in Milan (or Italy, I'm hazy here) which I didn't know. Mrs. Bobcat actually likes this song too...and yes, prosopis, she was amazing the entire show. Never wanted to move back or leave early, very pleasing to me.
Daughter (WMA/Let It Go/It's OK) - As WMA winds down, Ed gets a guitar so I know It's OK is a possibly. Then, the It's OK guitar riff started. Goldmine (although in the end I've seen better), I'm fired up....then he starts singing some lines I've never heard before. Cool, I just heard some new cover I didn't know or he went improv on me. Again, this is during the It's OK riff. Not until I saw a bunch of stupid articles posted on Facebook and people complaining like Ed sold out or whatever did I know what that was. I must be out of the loop or something. Anyways, it was literally like 20-30 sec I'd say, they didn't cover the song (at least I don't consider it a cover). Most importantly, there was alot of family/kids on the side of the stage, and definitely Ed's two girls. People need to chillax. It was for them, not for you (no pun intended).
Happy Birthday - Not on the official setlist, but we sang HB to Cam's wife. Matt came down from his perch and slow danced with her over by Stone. Totally Cool.
Better Man - For all the greatness of the crowd that night, there are a few tunes they can't do, and this was one of them. In general, they were great chanters and loud, yet sometimes pretty off, singers. Didn't ruin anything, actually made it better since it was a bit different.
STBC>Lukin - This was the most insane part of GA experience because people actually started moshing just to the left of me. The one dude was still next to me and he did a great job shielding the madness. People not moshing were really into it too...it was a sweet couple of minutes there.
RITFW - Normally not a highlight for me although it's a great tune. But Mike didn't play guitar at all during the song....he took pictures - of the crowd, the band, and Matt's son who WAS playing guitar during the entire song. Not sure how old he is, teenager I'd say. I think he just played rhythm, but it was awesome just because he seemed so awed by the experience. Was probably pretty special for Matt as well.
YL closes out the show and then we head for the exit. We have no idea at this point where to go since we took a taxi to the show. Decide to just follow the massive crowd heading one way and we end up at the station where the train is. We head down the stairs underground and it's chaos. I have no idea what to do so we decide to look for a taxi back on the street. We got in a line but the taxi's were few and far in between so we gave up on that after a while. Started walking using the map on my phone...and walking and walking and walking...hoping to see a taxi along the way. It's over an hour after the show ended and we're getting to some sketchy part of town...you definitely know this when you see a couple prostitutes and people on the street looking at you a little weird. We certainly didn't fit the part. Mrs. B. is starting to get worried, there really are not any PJ people walking near us anymore. Then by the grace of Vedder, a cab drives by us. Since we hadn't seen one in so long, we didn't notice it til it passed us...and Mrs. B. sprints after it like I've never seen before and tracks it down at a stop light. She saves the day...we were still real far away from the hotel. Hilarious ending to a great night.
Hopefully part 2 wasn't a letdown for you guys...I could have went on and on about the show (looks like I kinda did)...but it was fun to share what I did with you. A show in Europe was always something I've dreamed about, I guess a "bucket list" type thing, and it didn't disappoint (not like PJ ever does)...it was an amazing experience.