November 21, 2024 – ENGIE Stadium, Sydney, AUS

Pearl Jam Show Notes 11/21/2024:

Close to 45,000 are in attendance on a warm spring evening out in Sydney’s west. Following Dark Entree, Release’s droning riff rings throughout ENGIE stadium (home ground for the AFL team the GWS Giants), the band silhouetted against a minimal white and blue background. “Here’s to a special one,” announces Ed. There’s barely a pause as Pearl Jam rip into Even Flow, an energized Ed bearing a huge grin as the crowd belts back the chorus at him. The band are clearly stoked to be back in Sydney after an absence of 10 years, and to be playing to such a big audience. Dedicated to a beloved fan, Stuggs, who sadly passed away before he got to attend the show, Given to Fly (“in Australia.. off a record called ‘Give Way’”) is once again a highlight of this leg, no small thanks to magnificent drone footage of the Blue Mountains, Sydney harbour and the New South Wales coastline. It provides the perfect backdrop for the rousing anthem. Interstellar Overdrive rings out into Corduroy, continuing the run of high energy hits. The outro doesn’t quite take off, Matt missing Ed’s cue and Mike coming in late with the solo. Nothingman is sublime, however, making its first appearance in Sydney in 18 years, before Dark Matter and artist Rob Sheridan’s incredible visuals finally enter the set via Scared of Fear. In the bridge, Ed changes ‘again they’re calling’ to ‘like in Footsteps calling’. Daughter is introduced with “When the people have spoken, it’s ok”, referencing requests for the Dead Moon tag. It lacks the element of surprise as was the case in Melbourne, but it’s a powerful addition nonetheless. Come Back is particularly poignant, Ed mentioning a fan who has lost a brother, and, as a father of girls himself, two young Australian victims of drink poisoning in Laos. After State of Love And Trust, he comments, “34 years ago.. we thought, ‘Ok, that’s got some good momentum, that song. 34 years later, we can play faster,” leading to a tight version of Running. He takes a few moments after Jeremy to mention the Australian arm of EB fundraising, and the involvement of players from the Giants football team, photos of whom are shown on the screens. Faithfull is a detuned but welcome rarity, while Porch closes out what has been a solid main set, Ed stepping down to sing the final chorus to those on the rail.

Encore time, and Ed reads out some of the signs fans are holding. “This is like an eye test, so far I’m doing fairly well I think.” he quips, before reading another. “Please play Black – is this something you’d like to hear?” The huge cheer doesn’t go unnoticed. A sign for Bugs sees him give a shout out to revered recording engineer and producer Nick Didia, now an Australian resident, who “sings on Olympic Platinum, for all the serious collectors.” Solo on the acoustic, he unites all for a singalong to Last Kiss, before Animal sees the band return to the stage. Since it’s detuned half a step, it doesn’t pack anywhere near the punch that is needed, but a stellar Black (replacing Upper Hand after the crowd response) more than makes up for it. The song belongs to Mike, his epic solo reaching the heavens to elevate the classic ballad once again. McCready, eyes closed, is still in a faraway place as Ed wakes him out of his trance. “We belong together…me and you, me and you,” he sings, gesturing back and forth between himself and his cherished bandmate of 34 years. The house lights illuminate the stadium for the final chorus of Alive, Ed exclaiming, “Sydney you’re fucking beautiful! Look at ya!” As Mike solos, he brings out old friend and legendary surfer Mark Richards to the front of the stage to look out at the celebratory scene. But it’s Mark’s son Nathan who then makes an appearance on Ed’s telecaster, modestly strumming away next to Stone on Rockin’ in the Free World. Over the opening notes of Indifference, Ed says, “Until we meet again – and it won’t be another 10 years.” It caps off a triumphant return to the Harbour City after far too long an absence.