Show-down: Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field:
- I had been to Chicago twice - once as an 8th grade class trip and once with my dad to Wrigley for a WLW sweepstakes he won that allowed us a same day up-and-back flight to watch the Reds-Cubs on September 13, 2001. We ended getting to go to the makeup game in October, a 50 degrees and rainy affair with two garbage teams playing 4-A ballplayers at that point with approximately 100 people in the stands- no exaggeration. Had a hotel booked on Michigan Avenue in May 2023 as a kind of celebration for my wife and I for our upcoming baby. We miscarried that March and canceled. Needless to say I had not had a true Chicago experience.
- My brother in law has seen Pearl Jam 10+ times. He grabbed tickets for Wrigley and invited me months ago. Drove up early Saturday morning. Hit Wicker Park then Wrigleyville and eventually the show. Watched football, drank beer and BSed. Was a wonderful day.
- What a town. I’d put it 1B to NYC’s 1A. Love everything about it. From the omnipresent trains on the L to the variety neighborhoods, I couldn’t be a bigger fan. Character out the ass. Loved all the small neighborhood pubs. Perfect weather.
- Have always had the “what if” about living in a bigger city when I was in my 20s. Think Chicago was that town.
- The show was amazing. I think if you see Pearl Jam - Wrigley is either the best or second best with Seattle, considering Vedder’s a Chicago guy and diehard Cubbie. Started off Garden, Porch and Wishlist. Jesus Christ. It was on. Closed Jeremy, Alive and Baba O’RIley. Some Better Man, Given to Fly and In Hiding mixed in. I’m not even big on Better Man or Jeremy but live in that setting, it was insane. Grandstand about collapsed.
- I mean I first heard 3 of the songs played when I was 12. Listened to them with guys who I’d been best buddies with for 5-7 years at that point and 38-40 years now. Whole crowd was basically white dudes 40-55. Graybeards with nice watches sparking Js, giving high fives, singing to songs they’ve heard 1000x. It was subtly emotional. I definitely had some nostalgia. Thought about being in friend Chris’s parents basement watching MTV and the Jeremy video in 1992. Didn’t know shit about shit. Was in that basement 2 weeks ago with my daughter visiting his parents and his 23 year old son who was in town. I think that’s a large part of it. Not much in life taking you from 12 to 45. These guys have been together for 34 years. Never broke up. Your best friends, Kentucky basketball and football, Reds, Bengals and Pearl Jam.
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