Cornerstone 2002: Pedro the Lion

The first time I saw Pedro the Lion was at Cornerstone 1998, shortly before "It's Hard To Find a Friend" was officially released by Made In Mexico. (Now that I think about it, that might've been the album's release show.) It was an incredibly emotional concert, and I doubt I was the only one reduced to tears by David Bazan's unassuming, disarming, and deeply poignant songwriting. In the following months, "It's Hard To Find a Friend" became something of a lifeline as I navigated post-college years that were characterized by spiritual struggles and searching.
Suffice to say, Pedro the Lion's Cornerstone sets became must-see events for me and my friends. David Bazan and Co. never failed to deliver, whether it was the emotional music itself or Bazan's Q&A sessions that found him answering all manner of audience questions with honesty and humility.
Sadly, my recording of Pedro the Lion's Cornerstone 2002 set is incomplete. My camera battery was dying, so I had to be judicious in what I recorded. (As you'll see, it died right in the middle of a particularly impassioned performance of "Secret of the Easy Yoke," arguably Pedro the Lion's signature song.) But I got most of the set plus some Q&A, including Bazan's thoughtful answer as to why he ultimately decided to perform at Cornerstone 2002 -- and on the main stage, no less -- after having sworn off returning to the festival.
(Partial) Setlist:
1. Of Up and Coming Monarchs
2. Indian Summer
3. Nothing
4. When They Really Get to Know You They Will Run
5. Options
6. Bad Diary Days
7. Secret of the Easy Yoke (Partial)
Read my full review of Pedro the Lion's set, which also includes some thoughts on the weirdness of seeing Bazan's quiet, heartfelt indie-rock performed on Cornerstone's biggest stage.
opuszine.us/po...

[@indie_rok]

0:00 Of Up and Coming Monarchs 4:00 Q&A 6:00 Indian Summer 9:30 Nothing 13:18 Q&A 18:34 When They Really Get to Know You They Will Run 21:11 Options 24:50 Bad Diary Days 29:18 Secret of the Easy Yoke (Partial)

[@cattmampbellvideo]

At first I was surprised that he played "Indian Summer" ...but then he stopped short of singing the end of the first verse. Damn.

[@cucknorris6497]

David's voice is so powerful.

[@flackblag8531]

Thank you for posting this! This is a special set. It happened when I was 7 years old, so I’m thankful to have experienced it virtually at 25 through you. Dave’s songs have the wisdom of an old soul with the yearning of a young man.

[@thaddaeuslawrence]

WOW!!! priceless banter and a rare 4 piece Pedro!

[@overxland_1898]

And Jonathan Ford of Unwed Sailor on Bass

[@tomkmb4120]

Amazing footage, thanks a lot for sharing.

[@JasonMorehead]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@guitarfreak521]

I was there!

[@morganhymancomedy]

I saw Pedro the Lion live for the first time a couple of years after this, shortly before Achilles Heel cam out. I've seen Dave/Pedro live more than any other artist and I try to catch him on every tour when he's close enough to mt hometown. I had tix for the tour he did with mewithoutyou in Dallas, but was sick and couldn't make it. Hopefully, post-pandemic, I can see a club show. I love the house shows too, but I love seeing him with a full band!

[@albertvicent1726]

God Bless David Bazan

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

Awesome show. My band was around touring at this same era, playing in some same venues as PTL but on different nights.

[@glamlimo1]

thank you for posting this! I heard the he played at Ichthus, possibly when i was there in '99, but I didnt know about him/them at the time! Luckily I was able to see him a bunch in Denver when Control was released.

[@scottbaylo]

Lucky bastard! But as jealous as I am, I always have to remember that I got to see the descendents secret show in 93, so I’m not allowed to complain about anything music related for the rest of my life (except that God deprived the world of more J-church music after 2007, he’s getting bopped in the snoot for that the second I get up there! …I-If I get up there that is)

[@rwldebruijn1979]

Aaaaah, Bad Diary Days still gets me.

[@ButterInChicago]

Jason--I am so torn. 1. Thank you for uploading this. 2. I am heartbroken that the last song cuts off so early. I searched for "Secret of the Easy Yoke" live just now. This upload was 1 of 2 or 3 results. I got super excited. (I audiotaped this PTL set at C'Stone...and many other PTL concerts between 1999-present.) Im driving, dont have any recordings with me, and really wanted to hear a live performance of "Easy Yoke" right now. It's the one song that is sort-of missing/incomplete. Sigh. My search continues. Respect from Chicago.

[@JasonMorehead]

Thanks for the kind words. And believe me, I'm definitely bummed that I only got part of the song.

[@nottroy4500]

Hey man, in case you never found it. Here’s a show where they play it. One of the earliest Pedro shows I’ve ever seen. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXycfJ-vo7WKgqM

[@ButterInChicago]

​@@nottroy4500 Thx. I appreciate you. Know: my 1st PTL concert was Cornerstone Festival '99 b/c, at C'Stone '98, vocalist of Dear Ephesus HIGHLY praised them. It changed my life. I watched "Secret of the Easy Yoke" live evolve between 1999-2010 and its the 2001-2002 performances that are my favorite.

[@nottroy4500]

This is awesome. Thanks for uploading

[@paulfield6815]

Thank you for posting this!

[@grimma07]

thanks!

[@overxland_1898]

I was at that show... Year of MC Hammer.

[@pilleater]

Hell yeah.

[@andrewhart6200]

Loved when Jonathon Ford was in the band :)

[@cheapmusicgear]

Great band. It’s almost comical though that David didn’t cut those guitar strings lol.

[@RWP1926]

In case anyone wants to hear the end of the last song! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3utiWxopNqIb7M

[@scottbaylo]

I love this band so much, but quick question regarding albums after Achilles heel (for anyone reading this)… am I missing something? As far as I know there’s only that album with yellow bike (can’t remember the name) and I really didn’t like it. Is it one of those things that will eventually grow on you, or is it just not that good? Are there any other releases besides the David Bazan solo album?

[@Dekcatta]

Did you listen to Havasu? Came out last year, I believe... it's a masterpiece, imo.

[@raygrantiii]

If you didn’t like the Phoenix album, you probably won’t like Havasu, I would say to keep listening, there’s a nostalgia feel to them if you give them attention

[@scottbaylo]

@@Dekcatta No! But I’m gonna remedy that right away, thanks bud!

[@scottbaylo]

@@raygrantiii oh wait, I might’ve actually heard it… are all the songs very “spacey”, slow, and about him being the sad kid at school? Or was that the other album with the bike song? Man, I have a hard time remembering anything lately!

[@Dekcatta]

​@@scottbayloit is "the sad kid at school" album hahaha, I think it's great!

[@husq48]

It's like a bad version of the Dave Matthews Band, didn't think it could get any worse than that! 🤣

[@frittata3891]

Get bent

[@husq48]

@@frittata3891 🤣

[@frittata3891]

@@husq48 your moms face when you erupted from her wretched womb > 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@husq48]

@@frittata3891 Typical fanboy, lashes out in personal insults when his favorite heroes are criticized!

[@frittata3891]

@@husq48 typical braindead take from someone who looks up bands that don't sound like one of the myriad stryper clones that play at his favorite christcore festival

[@johnpauldove3892]

I was there!