January 17, 2014 – Western Springs, Auckland, NZ

Pearl Jam Show Notes 1/17/2014:

The Southern Pacific portion of the Lightning Bolt tour begins with a stop in Auckland. The Big Day Out festival takes place in six different cities over three weekends, and Pearl Jam takes the stage with a warm and welcoming version of Release. The next four songs were played with high energy and no breaks in between. Ed yields the mic to the fans during Mind Your Manners. With a short pause between songs, he addresses the crowd and mentions that they have been in town for a few days, saying “We’ve had some big days off; now we are up for a big night out!” He reminds everyone to look out for one another before rushing into the next song. Mike continues his wizardry with Given to Fly, Brain of J., and Even Flow. Ed takes time to shout out some of the other bands playing the festival, and reminisces about the first time they played New Zealand, telling the story about how he was almost lost at sea while surfing before being rescued, adding that at the time he had “nothing to lose,” but now that he has a wife and two daughters he’s even more grateful for the rescue that day. That sets the stage for a poignant Sirens. A rare main set Black is punctuated with an Ed improv:

Wasn’t that long ago
You were by my side
I still feel you by my side
Four years ago
You were by my side
I feel you here
Here tonight

Liam Finn joins the band to sing on Habit. Afterwards, Ed praises the whole musical Finn family, many of which are in attendance. Footsteps is played by request, and the band is seated through Nothingman. Ed goes down to the front row for Porch, sharing his wine and giving high fives. He starts the last chorus while swinging from a globe and almost misses the first line. The band waves goodbye, but hurry back to the stage, saying they have five more minutes, and cap off the evening with a thunderous Baba O’Riley.