They can’t find a better band than Pearl Jam.
A group of Forest Hills residents who are fans of the ’90s rock band might not get the opportunity to see the band in the Forest Hills Stadium. For several months now, Daniel Sheffer and others have used crowdfunding to raise more than $125,000 in the hopes of tempting Pearl Jam to play in the historic venue. They’ve held a fundraiser at a Queens bar and even developed a podcast, all in the name of music.
Despite all of this, the band’s manager indicated that a Queens performance is unlikely.
“We love the passion and enthusiasm of the fans who have spearheaded Pearl Jam crowdfund efforts,” said Kelly Curtis, the manager for the band. “However, with more and more of these crowdfunded show proposals cropping up, we want to be clear before fans invest their hard-earned money into these efforts that they are unlikely to happen. “
Sheffer has heard this line before and it doesn’t deter him.
“I think they just do that for themselves and they have to be cautious about all the offers out there,” Sheffer said. “We definitely want to work with them and since they haven’t given us a clear no, we think there’s still a chance.”
The crowdfunding began back in November 2014 and as part of the deal, fans get a seat if they give $80 or more. Those who give $1,000 can expect four tickets, plus what the group calls a “mystery bunch of Pearl Jam goodies.”
Sheffer thought of the idea after he heard that the band Foo Fighters played a crowdfunded set in Richmond, Va., in September last year. At first, contributions for a Pearl Jam concert were coming from Sheffer’s family and close friends, but the crowdfunded site now has 544 contributors.
“It’s a new year, so I think there’s a really good chance that we could do this,” Sheffer said. “Or hey, we might just try for 2016. We’ll keep trying until we get that cease and desist letter from them.”
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