November 18, 2024 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, AUS

Pearl Jam Show Notes 11/18/2024:

It’s a much cooler night in Melbourne at Marvel Stadium for night two, but still over 52,000 are in attendance for another massive show which Jeff would later dub as one his standout shows from 2024. Prior to Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers commencing their set, Ed walks out to take photos of the crowd. He graciously lauds the Canberran quartet, who had to give up their set on the Gold Coast due to the storm delay. Following the Dark Entree intro track, Pearl Jam take to the stage, the familiar opening notes of Better Man ringing throughout the stadium. It kicks off a run that replicates the opening three from the same date – November 18 – in Sydney, 2006. During the breakdown, Ed, sporting his Walter Peyton jersey again after its absence on night one, greets and riles up the crowd, just as he did in Sydney, some 18 years prior. He praises those who were in attendance on Saturday for “a very, very, very memorable night.” “Well, records are made to be broken,” he continues. “Let’s fuckin’ bring it tonight!” Finally, he drops the bizarre Aussie colloquialism: “We didn’t come here to fuck spiders you know!” Given to Fly soars once again with the magnificent backdrop of drone footage, taking the crowd on a scenic journey to the Great Ocean Road, a Melbourne beach, a skate park and finally, into Marvel Stadium. A concise Porch makes an early appearance, while Wreckage is dedicated to the resilient conservationists working to protect Australia’s reefs. Fittingly, its emphatic, Learning to Fly-esque outro is combined with vision of waves crashing. Daughter follows seamlessly after, and before he leads a typical call and response, Ed straps on his guitar. “This part is a request – from daughter Alexis, to dad Darren,” he announces, before strumming the opening chord to It’s OK, the first time it’s been played in six years. It’s as emotional and moving as ever, and, accentuated by Mike’s lead lines, makes for one of the highlights of the 2024 tour.

A powerful Dark Matter demonstrates that the band has truly found its groove with the track, and afterwards Ed shares photos he took of the crowd, including a guy with a sign that reads, “Hard to Imagine for this dickhead”, eliciting cheers and laughs from the Golden Circle. Mike throws his strat behind his head during his Even Flow solo, but afterwards, things take a more reflective and poignant turn as Ed dedicates a beautiful and tight Light Years (played for only the second time that year) to a fan named Pam, who has sadly passed away. Commercial radio station Triple M is thanked for their airplay of Waiting for Stevie whereas in the ‘90s, Pearl Jam was adored and broadcast live by Triple J. It is a perfect flowing set, with an epic rendition of Jeremy igniting the Marvel crowd. It prompts Ed to lovingly acknowledge Jeff and say, “He can play a four-string bass, he can play a twelve-string bass, he can play a six-string guitar, he can play a twelve-string guitar.” As Jeff grins widely, he goes on. “He can play a lute, he can play a banjo, he can play a mandolin, he can play a harmonica. He can play a harmonium, he can play a mouth harp… and he once made sushi out of a wallaby, but that part I didn’t confirm. But he did write this next song.” This leads to Won’t Tell, the only time it will be played on the Australian tour. Do the Evolution once again features the arresting backdrop of Todd McFarlane’s animation on the center screen, while a stunning Black hits its emotional peak as Ed stretches out the “all I’ll be” line. He adds, “let’s see your phones… give me some stars to sing to”, and the crowd respond, lighting up Marvel Stadium in a breathtaking sight. As Mike’s solo soars, Ed watches on in admiration, before a lullaby tag from Nick Cave’s Ship Song: “We make a little history, baby… Every time you come around”. Next, Rearviewmirror. Ed plays the opening riff but lets the band take over for the verses and chorus. But despite occasions where he’s not playing, it’s the perfect setlist choice to ignite the crowd and signal the encore break.

Ed fondly recalls his encounters with Aussie surfers in San Diego, whom he notes were always so carefree. “I thought, I can’t imagine a whole country full of Australians – I’d love to meet them someday. And look – we’ve become friends!” Bizarrely, Setting Sun is played for the only time on the entire tour Down Under, but, set to Rob Sheridan’s incredible visuals, it perfectly closes out the Dark Matter material. Animal, down-tuned a half step, and Once provide a nostalgic punch, while Unthought Known is stopped midway through the first verse to address a security concern in the back of general admission. With the house lights on, Alive sees a sea of smiling faces beamed up on the screens as tambourines get thrown out, while those expecting Baba O’Riley, which was originally on the setlist, are surprised by yet another Rockin’ in the Free World. With a considerable gap between the rail and the stage, Ed runs past the front row to the tune of Stone’s solo, while Josh jams with Jeff who’s sporting a Pixies stickman shirt. “Fuckin’ beautiful!” he returns to the mic to announce, in response to the crowd’s participation. The boys say their goodbyes, take a bow and are about to walk off, but a band huddle is met with a rousing cheer. “Alright this is how we say goodbye,” he says, a cheeky smile cast to Jeff, before strumming the opening riff to Porch, acting as if they didn’t play it earlier as Jeff feigns bewilderment. Mike is on hand to end things proper, and it caps off a triumphant two-night stand in Melbourne. “I miss you already-ready!” Ed sings before leaving the stage.