After an opening set from Texas-based Sparta, Pearl Jam came out in a blaze showing their punk roots, firing through a couple of 2-minute tunes including: "I Am Mine", "Whipping," and "Last Exit." Before you knew it, they were on a rampage powerful enough to pull down the Pepsi Arena. They slowed things down with "Daughter", prompting the first of many crowd sing-a-longs. They went into a jam segueing their way into the chorus of Pink Floyd’s "Another Brick in the Wall" and then Eddie Vedder began saying "It’s OK". This was a reference to Dead Moon’s "It’s OK", a tune that they have gone into many times in the past during the "Daughter" jam. The audience participation continued with a blast from the past in "Evenflow". They did a perfect job of keeping up the tempo, as well as giving the crowd time to breath with tunes such as "Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town." The set closed strong with some old favorites including "Once", "Corduroy", "Better Man," and "Porch."
The band left the stage for a brief intermission and came back with a 6-song encore. They invited up an audience member and opened the encore with a cover of Patti Smith’s "People Have the Power". A tune that’s right up their alley. I wasn’t sure if the song selection was planned or if Eddie saw something the young lady was holding. She came up with what appeared to be the lyrics to the song. The cover commenced with Eddie shooting some souvenir photographs of the woman and the other band members. The crowd then exploded with the opening notes of "Do The Evolution." "Given To Fly" lead us to a powerful conclusion of the show. It appeared the band wanted to send us home singing as they busted into the band’s signature song, "Alive" and then wrapped things up with The Who’s "Baba O’Reilly."
The show was incredible, as it brought back memories of youth, as the songs off the band’s debut album Ten surely stand the test of time. Even for a fan who may not be familiar with Pearl Jam’s newest material, the energy and power the band displays live will involve you in the show in no time. If they come to your area, you must make a point to see them!
Set List
I Am Mine, Whipping, Last Exit, Blood, Cropduster, Daughter > (Another Brick in the Wall), Even Flow, Ghost, Elderly Woman, Love Boat Captain, Wishlist > Improv, Save You, Once, Corduroy, Better Man, Porch E: People Have The Power *, Improv, Do The Evolution, Given To Fly, All or None, Alive, Baba O'Riley
Comment: * Patti Smith cover. ( ) indicates a partial song
Photos Courtesy of Pearl Jam and Kerensa at PearlJamSynergy.com
