Pearl Jam US Concert History

List of Pearl Jam Concerts in US

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May 7, 2022 – The Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Main Set: Release, Given To Fly, Do The Evolution, Low Light, Quick Escape, Take The Long Way, Even Flow, Seven O’Clock, Immortality, Cold Day In The Sun, Daughter, Unthought Known, Glorified G, Lukin, I Believe In Miracles, Garden, Mind Your Manners, Porch

encore 1: Better Man/(Save It For Later), Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Jeremy, Leash, Alive, Indifference

Show Notes:

Walking out for the pre-set, Ed gives a shout out to the fans on the rail for having a “long day” and asking them if they camped out at the venue, saying they’ve been through a lot. He hands out…

Show Notes: 

Walking out for the pre-set, Ed gives a shout out to the fans on the rail for having a “long day” and asking them if they camped out at the venue, saying they’ve been through a lot. He hands out blank slips of paper, and says write down whatever you want to hear, as long as it’s on the “master list” we’ll give it a shot. On the list are Brother, Severed Hand, Blood, Untitled/MFC, Tremor Christ, Breakerfall, Unthought Known, Angel, Glorified G, You Are, Strangest Tribe, Fatal, and Marker in the Sand.

Lots of Yield early, after Evolution, Ed says “live from The Forum it’s Saturday night!” Ed holds on that last line in Low Light for what feels like an eternity. Afterwards, Ed points to Stone’s side and says he’s getting an “edible” vibe from them. He adds that the next song, Quick Escape, is about interplanetary travel, but it’s not “Life On Mars,” making a David Bowie reference, and that we may have to live there one day because we’re destroying our own planet. He mentions certain billionaires, saying that for every dollar they get for space travel, they should match it for putting it back into saving the beauty and environment of Mother Earth. Quick Escape’s solo continues to be one of the most powerful moments of the Gigaton tour so far, with Mike holding his head back and firing away. Take the Long Way has a little extra guitar fire from Mike to kick it off. Before Even Flow, Ed continues the story of the homeless man named Eddie he talked about during the Home Shows in 2018:

“He had a shopping cart with a globe inside, he’d spin the globe and look at all the places he’d never get to. We came back from a tour once and he was gone. No one knew and it sort of went right through the cracks. People don’t understand any of the lyrics, but Eddie I was talking about you.”

Ed hypes up the crowd before getting into the chorus by shouting “Sing it for Eddie! Sing it for Eddie!” Mike’s Immortality solo is electrifying, he’s losing his mind, so much so that it looks like he’s having a conniption on stage! Big powerful ending, with the band huddling around a dominant Matt Cameron. Ed mentions that some folks here tonight are some of the most important people in our lives, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and meeting Stone and Jeff through Jack Irons after he was a Chili Pepper. He shouts out Chad Smith who’s on the side stage, and says they’re thinking about Taylor Hawkins, adding that he was someone that truly loved living on this planet, the one thing we can be consoled by is that he never wasted a moment. Ed introduces Mark Guiliana to play drums as Matt Cameron grabs a guitar and steps to the microphone to sing Taylor’s Foo Fighters song Cold Day In The Sun! Chad Smith is seen playing tambourine. An amazing tribute, with Matt’s vocals sounding pristine. Big hugs all around at the end for this emotional performance. After Daughter, Ed asks for the list of songs that the fans created before the show started, “after going through all of the hassle and having the cops think there were all these homeless people outside, you’re giving me a list! Alright we got a plan, and this is a very intelligent choice.” Unthought Known is the first choice, after which Ed mentions how Sean Penn is out helping people in the Ukraine. Before the next request, he talks about Dave Chappelle getting tackled on stage, the person who tackled him had a knife hidden in a fake gun, leading to Glorified G. Great crowd response from the front that makes Ed turn the mic around to give them the moment to sing back. Ed runs out of gas by the end of Lukin, but the band gets right back on the horse with an I Believe In Miracles cover. Garden is very heavy, lots of weight behind it.

After the break, Ed channels his inner Taylor Hawkins with some call and response moments, and then says you should sing in the shower with me. He asks for someone to fetch him his sparkly jacket from his dressing room, saying “that lady has a sparkly jacket and I’m not about to be outdone by that bitch!” The jacket is acquired and then he talks about equal pay and diversity in Hollywood, and goes on a long rant defending Bill Murray. The Save It For Later tag has almost the full song lyrics. Small Town is played for the back, with a lyric change, “…lifetimes are catching up with ALL OF US!” Midway through, he asks for the band to speed it up a bit. The house lights come up for Jeremy. Ed dedicates Leash to COVID-19 saying “fuck you COVID-19! Leash is an excellent surprise, no “lucky face” phrasing. Mike ripping another song apart. Ed dribbles a basketball around the stage during Alive then tosses it to the crowd. Indifference closes out the night.

May 6, 2022 – The Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Main Set: Of The Girl, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Superblood Wolfmoon, Corduroy, Dance Of The Clairvoyants, Quick Escape, Faithfull, Not For You/(Modern Girl), Buckle Up, Even Flow, Never Destination, Down, Nothingman, Present Tense, Who Ever Said/((I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction), Porch

encore 1: State Of Love And Trust, Wishlist, Do The Evolution, Black/(We Belong Together), Alive, Yellow Ledbetter

Show Notes:

A relaxed Of The Girl opens, setting the tone for a fun Friday night in LA. After Superblood Wolfmoon, Ed says: “I was gonna tell a story but I wanna just keep playing. I’m not gonna tell any jokes tonight…

Show Notes: 

A relaxed Of The Girl opens, setting the tone for a fun Friday night in LA. After Superblood Wolfmoon, Ed says:

“I was gonna tell a story but I wanna just keep playing. I’m not gonna tell any jokes tonight so don’t anybody even THINK about walking up here and hitting me!”

After Corduroy, he tells a story about driving up from San Diego to the Forum for Pink Floyd’s The Wall show. His buddy forgot the tickets at home, forcing Ed to sit in the parking lot for the whole show. Quick Escape is wild, it continues to be the standout live Gigaton song. Faithfull is played for the first time since 2016. During Not For You’s breakdown, Ed comments on the Roe situation and says:

“I think if you’re a girl or woman out there, and the guy you’re going out with … and you’re thinking about maybe going all the way with… I think that if that guy is not pro-choice, then he shouldn’t be allowed to fuck you!”

Dave Krusen is in attendance, Ed says we love you and you’re always a part of this group. Mike channels his inner Eddie Van Halen on Even Flow’s solo, thrashing around like a madman and putting on an absolute display. Ed mentions Howard Zinn, followed of course by Down, Mike with a very poppy, refreshing solo. Something happens in the crowd during Present Tense that Ed pauses mid-song to address, while Mike keeps the riff going. Present Tense has a powerful ending, with the band completely synced up. Who Ever Said has the Satisfaction tag again, sounding more like Devo than the Rolling Stones. Ed warms up with some Pete Townshend windmills before strumming into Porch. Another excellent McCready moment, shredding during the solo down near the pit and running laps alongside them. After the break, during State of Love and Trust, Ed runs off the stage, forcing the band to keep playing, leading to an extensive solo. He comes back on the stage with a new shirt. The band flips around to play one to the back, it’s Wishlist, we haven’t seen this one in this spot before, it’s always been Last Kiss or Small Town or Smile. Black is an out of this world performance with a long, powerful solo, Mike wailing soulfully at the end, with Ed improv lyrics about good and bad. He tells a story about a guy named Dave and his brother who, after an Earthlings show, found out that he had a tumor in his brain. After surgery, he had a difficult time getting his motor skills back, but was able to muster up the words:

“We’re not missing that fucking Pearl Jam show”

Dave is shown in the crowd, and gets an amazing ovation. Mike goes down to play the Alive solo towards the floor as Ed tosses tambourines into the crowd. After Alive, the band takes off their instruments and waves goodbye to the crowd, it seems like the end, but they quickly regroup for Yellow Ledbetter to end the evening.

May 3, 2022 – Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA, USA

Main Set: Oceans, Retrograde, Never Destination, Corduroy, Dance of the Clairvoyants, Amongst The Waves, Even Flow, Who Ever Said/((I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction), Quick Escape, Long Road, Given To Fly, Superblood Wolfmoon, Daughter/(In My Tree), Seven O'Clock, Jeremy, Porch

encore 1: Lightning Bolt, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, River Cross, Footsteps, Once, Alive

Show Notes:

This was the first of the rescheduled 2020 shows and the first North American arena show since May of 2016. After Never Destination, Ed greets the crowd and says “Well, thank you for your patience,” followed by a standing ovation…

Show Notes: 

This was the first of the rescheduled 2020 shows and the first North American arena show since May of 2016. After Never Destination, Ed greets the crowd and says “Well, thank you for your patience,” followed by a standing ovation from the crowd. Corduroy has an interesting riffy lead-in that had never been played before. After Dance of the Clairvoyants, Ed talks about paying tribute to the history connected with the band in San Diego:

Because of our location…we’re choosing songs that have something to do with the ocean…even if they don’t mention it in the words…well half of ‘em were written in the ocean anyway.

During Amongst The Waves, Ed points out to a crowd member and asks for people to help them out. Who Ever Said is especially tight, synth sounds amazing from Klinghoffer. Who Ever Said has a Rolling Stones “Satisfaction” tag, the first instance in Pearl Jam history. Ed pays tribute to Taylor Hawkins before Quick Escape:

You put all of these lights together and they still wouldn’t match up to the light that poured from within that guy. He emitted something very special. I’m so mad for your loss. But it just gives us another chance to say how much we appreciated you as well. 

There’s a request from a guy named Mike whose brother Stan died in a 2016 accident, Ed says he can relate – his brothers and mom and uncle and nephews are here tonight:

We lost a brother…four of us boys…and a sister in Texas…we lost him pretty quick, and it fucked us up…but we got through it together. Last time we played here, he was working up in the rigging. That was the penultimate time I saw him, last time was my 50th. There’s a plaque here up in the rafters with his name on it” 

This leads to a rare main set version of Long Road. Lights up on cell phones in the crowd. Ed says near the end “I’ll save you a seat”. GTF has the lyric “…came to San Diego, smoked a joint in a tree…,” after which Ed talks about teachers, joking that Stevie Ray Vaughan was Mike’s guitar teacher. Ed’s guitar teacher is in attendance, he can’t see him face to face because of COVID protocol, so he guides the spotlight to him. He jokes “I’m not gonna talk this much at the other shows…this feels like home so…” The Daughter tag is In My Tree (!), followed by a call and response. Ed talks about Jeff and Stone playing together for 39 years, says they should do a podcast together about it, and jokes that they never thought they’d live to 39. He tells a story about bullying leading into Jeremy, saying the song was somewhat based on things he witnessed in junior high school in the area. Porch closes the set, with Ed reflecting light into the crowd on his guitar pickguard.

After the break, Ed says he’s sorry he couldn’t visit all the people he knows here, and says Jeff is the smart one because he has a house in San Diego now. He mentions some local record stores, and continues, talking about his high school:

The proximity of my high school to the ocean pretty much guaranteed you weren’t gonna graduate. (jokingly mocking) Now kids, don’t leave school or you’ll turn into drug dealers and addicts…or…or…Republicans!

Prior to Lightning Bolt, Ed tells a story about having trouble writing the chorus to the song:

I had my headphones on and my notebook, and I was so close I had written the whole fucking song. But I couldn’t come up with the line of the chorus. It was like… she’s a what? I just couldn’t figure out what the fuck she was and I wasn’t going to give up. Then my phone buzzed and it must’ve been from Hawaii, and I looked at it but couldn’t answer it because I was singing. I looked over and it was a call from Gerry Lopez (surfer). And I was like that’s it! She’s a Lightning Bolt!

Nice jam at the end of Lightning Bolt with the lighting effects resembling shooting stars. After the song, Ed spotlights his mom in the crowd, mentioning she went to SDSU undergrad in 1989, and graduated with her Masters in 1992. Elderly Woman is played for the back of the audience. River Cross is played with the full band, intensely powerful with Ed emoting while playing on pump organ. Midway through, a Ukrainian flag goes up on the big screen. The reverse Mamasan Trilogy, Footsteps, Once, and Alive, closes out the night, the first time it’s been done in this order since 2011! Karen Vedder is shown fist pumping to Alive. Ed closes out the show thanking Jack Irons and then Stone and Jeff, adding “catch some good waves, keep this place beautiful…we love you.”

Big thank you to Aaron Redmond, Brooke Krause and Amy Cook Lancaster for providing  updates throughout the night!

October 2, 2021 – Ohana Encore Festival, Dana Point, CA, USA

Main Set: Superblood Wolfmoon, All Night, Last Exit, Lukin, Corduroy, Dance Of The Clairvoyants, Quick Escape, Wishlist/(Waiting On A Friend), Given To Fly, Seven O'Clock, Not For You/(Modern Girl), Even Flow, Take The Long Way, Unthought Known, Daughter, Once, Black, Again Today, Smile, Porch

encore 1: Wasted Reprise, Life Wasted, Alive, Rockin' In The Free World

Show Notes:

Pearl Jam gets right down to business on the final night of Ohana with a series of 7 straight rockers, starting with Superblood Wolfmoon through Quick Escape (the gem of the live Gigaton songs so far, so much energy and…

Show Notes: 

Pearl Jam gets right down to business on the final night of Ohana with a series of 7 straight rockers, starting with Superblood Wolfmoon through Quick Escape (the gem of the live Gigaton songs so far, so much energy and power). Before Lukin, Ed talks about the recent laws being passed in Texas, and how women’s rights are being affected. Wishlist has the Rolling Stones’ Waiting on a Friend tag again, and in a very touching moment, Given to Fly is dedicated to Mikey, a 15 year old with EB who is in attendance. Seven O’Clock is another Gigaton highlight (as Ed mentioned during night 1, it’s “a song with a lot of words,” and this night he nails it). Crowd is UP for Not For You. For the second night in a row, Mike crushes the Even Flow solo, including playing a few measures with his teeth again. Take The Long Way returns, a tight, compact performance, and it’s followed by a beautiful Unthought Known (made even more beautiful by the surroundings). No Daughter tag, just an inspired call and response. Brandi Carlile joins the band for the second time on this tour, for the cover of her song Again Today. After the break, Boom is quietly playing Wasted Reprise in the background, and Ed speaks about how special the festival was this year, mentioning several local folks who helped make it all happen, including the Mayor of Dana Point, who played a role in helping evacuate Afghan refugees during the recent turmoil. Life Wasted and a high-energy version of Alive follow. The band ends the show with a version of Rockin’ in the Free World that has perhaps the most bizarre group of special guests ever assembled on stage with the band: Andrew Watt, Sleater-Kinney, Kelly Slater, Randy Johnson, Chad Smith, John McEnroe, Mikey (the aforementioned 15 year old), Taylor Hawkins, Patti Smith, Brandi Carlile and Tim Robbins. The jam climaxes with Taylor and Matt both pounding the living daylights out of the kit, and Chad Smith eventually joins in on the fun.

October 1, 2021 – Ohana Encore Festival, Dana Point, CA, USA

Main Set: Low Light, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Dance Of The Clairvoyants. Never Destination, Do The Evolution, I Am Mine, Buckle Up, Even Flow, Seven O'Clock, Nothingman, State Of Love And Trust, Who Ever Said, Sweet Lew, Better Man/(People Have The Power), Rearviewmirror

encore 1: River Cross, Garden, Why Go, Alive, All Along The Watchtower, Yellow Ledbetter

Show Notes:

Low Light opener is a little unexpected, after Gigaton-heavy opens both shows prior. Matt drives a gentle rhythm. Ed mentions how getting back out playing has taken a little getting used to the last couple of shows, but seeing everyone…

Show Notes: 

Low Light opener is a little unexpected, after Gigaton-heavy opens both shows prior. Matt drives a gentle rhythm. Ed mentions how getting back out playing has taken a little getting used to the last couple of shows, but seeing everyone has made them feel comfortable. Dance of the Clairvoyants is the first Gigaton track of the night and continues to groove, with Stone playing fluid bass, Mike’s guitar riff sounding electrifying, and Josh adding color on synths and backing vocals. The band sounds crisp and in sync on Never Destination, with Ed delivering a passionate vocal. After a strong Do the Evolution which featured two succinct, funk-flared solos from Stone, Ed talks about being concerned for everyone’s well-being and safety, remarking how great it’s been to see everyone again, and how well everyone has been treating one another and how reassuring it’s been to them. He introduces the next song as being written by Stone, saying both he and Mike just had anniversaries, and it’s a rare occasion that all the spouses are in attendance, and Buckle Up is debuted. Even Flow is paced well by Jeff and Matt, leading into a blistering Mike solo, which has him playing with his pick in his mouth. Seven O’Clock is next, as the Gigaton songs are more sprinkled throughout the set tonight. Nothingman is a crowd pleaser, with everyone singing at the top of their lungs during the “into the sun” chorus. SOLAT follows with Stone, Jeff, and Mike delivering a classic performance.  Mike stretches out the solo when Ed misses his entry point to the final verse. Who Ever Said is the second debut of the evening, and sounds crisp and well-rehearsed. Ed is animated throughout, and reaches a fervent peak in the second verse. The deep cut of the night is next, with Ed saying “every once in a while, with a little push, Jeff can be persuaded to sing this one,” leading to Sweet Lew. Jeff is decked out in a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Western Conference All-Star basketball jersey. Ed and Josh alternate between providing backing vocals on the chorus and dribbling basketballs. Better Man is tagged with People Have the Power again. The main set is punctuated by an absolutely ferocious Rearviewmirror, Mike throws himself to his knees at his pedal board for the bulk of his solo as Jeff, Matt, and Stone gather at the drum riser to set a groove-filled pocket for him, just a thunderous show stopper. The encore begins with Ed mentioning that we were picking out a few songs, and we think you’ll really like them, but first we ask for your indulgence on a little prayer. Ed waltzes over to the pump organ as the rest of the band takes a seat, and River Cross is finally debuted, played by the full band. Garden is a surprise setlist addition and sounds wonderful, tight and full, Mike colors his solos in spectacular fashion. Alive is next, met with a mix of excitement and confusion as it was still early in the evening. As the last verse is delivered, Ed says “…it feels different singing these words than it did before…” Mike starts Yellow Ledbetter before Ed waves him off, Josh joins at the front of the stage with his guitar, and the band launches into All Along the Watchtower. Yellow Ledbetter closes the night with Mike providing a thoughtful, less bombastic solo.

September 26, 2021 – Ohana Festival, Dana Point, CA, USA

Main Set: Retrograde, Dance Of The Clairvoyants, Quick Escape, Seven O'Clock, Corduroy, Alright, Daughter/(W.M.A.), Red Mosquito, Superblood Wolfmoon, I Got Id, Even Flow, Immortality, Given To Fly, Do The Evolution, Better Man

encore 1: Let Me Sleep, Black, Crazy Mary, Alive

Show Notes:

Pearl Jam’s second show back is the proverbial exclamation point on the weekend’s festivities, closing Ohana on a Sunday night. It feels like the band is eager to perform their new songs and this night drove that point home firmly,…

Show Notes: 

Pearl Jam’s second show back is the proverbial exclamation point on the weekend’s festivities, closing Ohana on a Sunday night. It feels like the band is eager to perform their new songs and this night drove that point home firmly, as five of the first six songs of the evening hailed from Gigaton, including the opener, the live debut of Retrograde, a gentle yet soaring build into the oceanside evening air.  Dance of the Clairvoyants follows, transitioning well from the atmospheric outro of Retrograde. Quick Escape is already becoming an explosive crowd pleaser, it feels drenched with years of setlist veteran status, giving fans everything they wanted from Mike, Stone and Jeff. The guitar and bass onslaught in the culminating jam is harmonic disharmony. Ed quickly addresses the crowd, saying “if it feels good out there, it feels great up here…we’ve been looking forward to this for a long, long time,” leading to Seven O’Clock. Like Retrograde, it bends towards the soaring energy through its peak and climax. Alright, introduced by Ed as a beautiful song written by his friend and bassist Jeff Ament, is the second debut of the evening. It’s gorgeous in the open air, and showcases the atmospheric elements Josh Klinghoffer will provide for the new songs. Daughter with Stone notably on his duo-tone harkens back to the Binaural era sound wise. Red Mosquito makes its third consecutive Pearl Jam set with Danny Clinch on harmonica. Superblood Wolfmoon KICKS live, expect it to be a mainstay during the Gigaton shows. Josh plays Ed’s guitar parts on this, freeing up Ed to emote and dance around during the entire song. Before I Got Shit, Ed shows off a guitar he got from Joan Jett, and turns it over to show her signature. Matt Cameron absolutely crushes Immortality with a blistering percussion display. The main set culminates with Ed referencing a statement he overheard Brandi Carlile make, that this day was blessed with “Power Bitches” on stage. Ed, being a man, shows a “signed” authorization from Brandi giving her permission for him to say this. Brandi joins the band on stage, sharing vocals on a powerful Better Man. After the break, Ed takes a drink from his bottle, saying you “can’t do that ‘drink a bottle and pass it around’ thing anymore, unless it’s Purell,” hinting at Crazy Mary, before mentioning his participation in the Global Citizen vaccine awareness concert back in the spring, saying:

I stayed near the ocean up north near Santa Monica, and I got outside, and when you went through Venice it got really intense, and since then I heard that all those people were relocated, and I could never find out the details on where and how they were relocated, but I just keep thinking about them and I really hope they’re okay and healthy and able to get whatever assistance they needed to get back on their feet, so I’m gonna drink to their resilience, and dedicate this one to them…

California has been dealing with extreme homelessness issues in several city areas, and it resulted in people being removed. Let Me Sleep is played for only the 8th time ever. Ed remarks about a nice note and picture he was given from a girl named Nicole, with a request for Black, and dedicates it to her and her mom and dad. Mike’s solo is poignant and emotive, gaining the rapt attention of Earthling producer Andrew Watt, who’s watching from the side of the stage. Just as the band was hitting its stride on Crazy Mary, the song is stopped so that a fan can get some medical attention just in front of Mike’s stage side. The band picks up right where they left off, and Boom gets to lay out the entire solo on the B3. Alive closes out the evening, and features both an array of band hiccups and one of the more explosive endings to a Pearl Jam show ever. Someone (or perhaps everyone) is slightly off time in the buildup of the intro before the first verse. The ship is seemingly righted, and then Ed jumps up a full verse, and the band gathers around Matt’s drum kit. Hashing it out, Ed realizes he messed up and can be audibly heard saying into his microphone, “…oh I fucked it up! I owe each of you guys $100.” He addresses his blunder hysterically to the front of the house, with a sarcastic, self-effacing acknowledgement: “Who, me? Never….” As the band fires into the distinctive outro jam, McCready points to Andrew Watt, walks towards him, lifts his guitar over his shoulders, and places it around Watt’s neck. Watt then, with the joy of a million fans given the opportunity of a lifetime, absolutely slays the solo as the band extends the jam out feverishly, ultimately handing the guitar back to Mike for the final few moments.

September 18, 2021 – Sea.Hear.Now Festival, Asbury Park, NJ, USA

Main Set: Dance Of The Clairvoyants, Quick Escape, Seven O'Clock, Corduroy, Present Tense, Never Destination, Even Flow, Wishlist/(Waiting On A Friend), Superblood Wolfmoon, Red Mosquito, Daughter/(W.M.A.), Take The Long Way, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Given To Fly, State Of Love And Trust, Better Man/(People Have The Power), Porch

encore 1: My City Of Ruins, Alive/(Voodoo Child), Rockin' In The Free World

Show Notes:

After 1,110 days, Pearl Jam returns. 20 minutes before show time, the band’s tour bus and trailer drive down the beach, making its way to the stage. Right from the start, they debut 3 songs off Gigaton, starting with Dance…

Show Notes: 

After 1,110 days, Pearl Jam returns. 20 minutes before show time, the band’s tour bus and trailer drive down the beach, making its way to the stage. Right from the start, they debut 3 songs off Gigaton, starting with Dance Of The Clairvoyants, with Stone on bass and Jeff on guitar and keyboards, and Ed using a loop track at the end to sing around. Quick Escape and Seven O’Clock debut next, both immediate standouts, it’s evident that the band LOVE the new songs. Stone and Mike both have fantastic solos on Quick Escape, Ed puts on a guitar halfway through. Ed changes the line in Seven O’Clock, saying “…we had sitting bullshit as our fucking president.” Afterwards, he tells the first of many heartfelt stories of the night:

Good evening, Asbury Park…we got the moon lighting up the ocean…someone said I thought maybe we were nervous as the day got closer because six months ago it seemed like we would be in the clear, and then as the day got closer, it wasn’t…nothing was, or is guaranteed. I was getting a little bit nervous and thinking about everybody’s safety, and what we’ve been through as a band, you know, safety first, like every band up here, we care about you so fucking much…but then another reason to be nervous is we haven’t played as a group for three fucking years…we’re so glad you made it, we’re happy we could make it, we’re all gonna make it together

Corduroy has a very emphatic and timely “absolutely everything’s changed” lyric swap. Ed, again:

A year and a half ago, we were ready to play, and we were excited to play, and we had new songs to play, we were gonna start touring quite a bit, that was one of the inside jokes of naming the record, we called it Gigaton, it’s a unit of measurement, but you can also say gig-a-ton, we thought we were gonna be on the road quite a bit, and then the extraordinary and unthinkable happened…with all we’ve been through, it’s Sea Hear Now, all of us, but be here…now, in the present tense

Josh Klinghoffer is also introduced as part of the touring band, leading into a faithful Present Tense, highlighted by the crowd and Jeff, who hasn’t lost a step during the ending jam. Following the debut of Never Destination, Ed jokes about helping his daughter with Calculus by calling a tutor, but adds:

But my problem lately has been with English, and that’s because I’ve had such a difficult time thinking about how to communicate…the question that we have, why aren’t we able to come together more closely when we’re faced with such huge challenges, like climate change, and the pandemic, as a country and as a planet…this is what we need to be united, not divided…I think we all feel sometimes, and I wish we could reach out to our neighbor, and I wish we could understand our differences, and I wish we could come together and fight, you know, as if aliens were coming down from the universe, like an alien virus comes in and infects us all, and English was failing me, so I went to simple math, I’m gonna try out my equation on you, so multiply love, add hope, subtract fear, and end division

Even Flow feels rejuvenated, with a new groove and feel. Ed makes a mistake on the first verse and calls himself out on it. Mike’s solo builds at a very steady pace, getting more electric towards the end, dropping to his knees, slashing at the strings. Before Wishlist, Ed talks about the last three years, saying “stay in touch with the people you love,” and mentions the recent losses of Charlie Watts and Norm MacDonald. Wishlist is halted due to a crowd issue, Ed checks in to make sure everyone is okay before restarting, but it feels fresh and new, and is tagged with the Rolling Stones’ Waiting On A Friend, with lyrics changed to “wishing on a friend.” Superblood Wolfmoon gets its live debut next, Ed shouting and emoting throughout, the band taking it to another level than on record, and Ed gets the crowd clapping a la Do the Evolution at the end. Festival organizer and photographer Danny Clinch is invited out to play harmonica on Red Mosquito, bookending the 3-year absence nicely (he had played at the last Fenway show in 2018). Stone powers an intense, extended W.M.A. tag. The final Gigaton track to debut is Take the Long Way, punctuated by Mike’s heroics. Small Town is uplifting and cathartic. Stone thumps his chest as Given to Fly soars. Prior to Better Man, Ed relates the story of Bruce Springsteen’s 2020 DUI arrest in New Jersey, questioning the wisdom of the officers involved. Patti Smith’s People Have The Power is tagged on it, making its first appearance at a PJ show since 2010. Ed teases a couple of rafter climbs during Porch, only going up one step though. After the break, Ed introduces “some of Asbury’s finest local singers,” Jason, Alexander, Josh, and Michelle, and with piano accompaniment, they combine for a lovely version of Springsteen’s “My City Of Ruins,” which Ed had done solo but never before at a PJ show. Ed dedicates the second verse to Anita, a unique and special performance. Jeff and Stone jam together during the Alive solo, which also includes some of Voodoo Child at the very end. Lenny Kaye (from Patti Smith’s band) joins for a closing, celebratory Rockin’ in the Free World, the band having a blast and clearly glad to be back. Mike, masked up, takes the final solo down by the front row playing in front of a fan in a wheelchair. Light Years, Retrograde, Do the Evolution, River Cross, All Along The Watchtower, Unthought Known, and Down were all on the setlist but scratched for time.

September 4, 2018 – Fenway Park, Boston, MA, USA

Main Set: Given To Fly, Animal, Save You, Arms Aloft, Lightning Bolt, Red Mosquito, I Am Mine, U, Even Flow, Immortality, Taillights Fade, Not For You/(Modern Girl), Nothingman, Can’t Deny Me, Jeremy, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Porch

encore 1: Thumbing My Way, Imagine, Crazy Mary, Comatose, Go, Rearviewmirror

encore 2: Smile, Wasted Reprise, Life Wasted, (Dirty Frank tease)/Dirty Water, Alive, Baba O'Riley, Yellow Ledbetter/(Star-Spangled Banner)

Show Notes:

A little ballpark symmetry as Given to Fly opens, just like at Wrigley 2. The Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros cover “Arms Aloft” is the first of two covers in the main set, with the lyric changed to “Arms Aloft/in…

Show Notes: 

A little ballpark symmetry as Given to Fly opens, just like at Wrigley 2. The Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros cover “Arms Aloft” is the first of two covers in the main set, with the lyric changed to “Arms Aloft/in Fenway Park” instead of Aberdeen. The first of many guest appearances on the night sees famed photographer Danny Clinch join to play harmonica on a fantastic Red Mosquito. Leatherman is scratched from the original setlist in favor of another Yield b-side, U. Following Even Flow, Ed applauds Mike for playing so well while medicated, due to a sinus infection. He then introduces the next one by saying they are going to play it “a little differently” this time. Then, for the first time since the Orpheum in 1994, Ed sings the original lyrics to Immortality:

I could take the sun
Pour a cup to share with everyone
Need to feel some comfort in this world
I won’t take it all
I won’t say that nothing’s not my fault
Cannot feel the future in the wind

I could paint the moon
With the light reflected in my room
All I need’s a mirror for the glare
I could paint the Earth, how
With the love I feel for you and her
Needn’t I to alter in the air

After Immortality, Bill Janovitz from Buffalo Tom is back out for the 2nd night in a row. Bill says it’s “wicked awesome” to be there a second time, and he and Ed trade off lyrics on main set cover #2, Buffalo Tom’s Taillights Fade. During the bridge of Not For You, Ed starts a “Let’s Go Red Sox” chant. Introducing Can’t Deny Me, Ed claims the original title of the song was “Voting Is Your Superpower,” and Mark Guiliana (drummer on Matt Cameron’s solo record Cavedweller) is invited on stage to play cowbell. Ed claims the title of the song was originally “Voting Is Your Superpower.” Jeff adds the bass line from Sweet Emotion at the end of Jeremy, as a nod to Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, who is in attendance. The Betterman tag finds Ed pondering whether he could find a better crowd: “Maybe Philly, that’s a pretty good crowd. New York City, that’s a pretty good crowd. Some nights it just feels like you can’t find a better crowd than Boston, Massachusetts…is tonight one of those nights? Whaddya got?” Coming back out for the encore, Ed says “the next time we play together we’re gonna be in the studio, [this is] the last time we’re gonna be playing in front of people for a while,” and that tonight “we’re gonna play until David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis [former Red Sox players] come and pull us off the stage.” This prompts Youkilis to take the stage carrying a guitar, holding it in his signature batting stance. Thumbing My Way is a request for a person Matt met, as well as a friend of Ed’s. Ed asks the crowd to hold their phones up to light the stadium for Imagine. Loud “Boooom” chants after Crazy Mary, as Ed mentions Team Hawaii won the Little League World Series and that Boom’s wife is involved with the league on the island. Over the Wasted Reprise bed, Ed says he’ll miss the Monster but hopes to be back in October (the Red Sox would end up winning the World Series). Life Wasted is dedicated to John Martin from the Red Sox video crew, who was stricken with ALS. The ever-elusive Dirty Frank is teased for about 30 seconds before a debut cover, Dirty Water by the Standells.

September 2, 2018 – Fenway Park, Boston, MA, USA

Main Set: Sometimes, Release, Low Light, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Why Go, Corduroy, Mind Your Manners, Down, Given To Fly, Army Reserve, Even Flow, Amongst The Waves, Daughter/(W.M.A./It's O.K.), Got Some, Do The Evolution, I Am A Patriot, Lukin, Porch

encore 1: I Won't Back Down, Just Breathe, Present Tense, Once, State Of Love And Trust, Tremor Christ, Black/(Waiting On A Friend/Time Heals), Taillights Fade, Blood/(Atomic Dog)

encore 2: Out Of My Mind, Alive, Rockin' In The Free World

Show Notes:

Band in great spirits from the start. Last line of Sometimes is changed to “You’d like it here…dear god.” After Low Light, Ed mentions Bono “losing his throat” the night before, and thanks him for his work with the Red…

Show Notes: 

Band in great spirits from the start. Last line of Sometimes is changed to “You’d like it here…dear god.” After Low Light, Ed mentions Bono “losing his throat” the night before, and thanks him for his work with the Red Campaign and other charitable/philanthropic endeavors, and asks the “Irish” crowd to wish the “Irishman” well. After a blistering Corduroy, driven by Matt, Ed takes a sip of wine and regales the crowd with a speech about the word ‘fuck’:

…you know, it can be used as a noun. Well, it can be used as a verb, which in its best way, you know, is romantic and ‘let’s fuck’. Or it can be insulting like ‘get fucked’…and I’ve got an adjective too…like ’fucking amazing’ like the Red Sox, they’re ‘fucking amazing.’ And anyone from Boston who might be booing, ‘fuck you.’ Or, you can use it as an adjective and a noun ‘you fucking fuck’ or an exclamation, which I’m realizing now because there might be kids in the audience and I’m thinking to myself ‘fuck!’ Sorry, sorry, fuck, sorry.

Before Given to Fly, Ed mentions that this is their 23rd show in Boston and dedicates it to a local named Dick, who worked putting on shows in the area and was recovering from a recent health scare. This version of I Am A Patriot starts off with the slow intro that develops into a raucous performance with a nod to the crowd, presumably full of New England Patriots fans, with Ed proclaiming “this is the one city in the world where you don’t have to introduce this one.” Ed changes into a Red Sox “Vedder 18” jersey during Porch, traversing the front of the crowd. After the first break, Ed brings out a red Fender Telecaster given to him by Tom Petty, saying “this is only the second time that I’ve taken this guitar out of my house, because a few years ago I gave Tom a guitar that he was looking for…and then a couple months later I got this beautiful red Red Sox color Telecaster in the mail from Tom, and he said ‘this was my baby for the last few tours, but I think there’s a few songs in it.’ So I brought it tonight. He played here in 2014 and he was right, there’s some songs in it. Maybe we can get his attention if we light some lights and make this place look like the church that it is for our dear friend Tom. Please sing along with me. I want him to hear. I love you Tom” leading to an emotional I Won’t Back Down. Tremor Christ seems to be added on the spot, Ed: “If I talk to the fellas, can we play a little something we don’t normally play? We’ll try it, if we fuck it up it will be my fault and it won’t be the first time and my wife’s here to attest to that.” After a soaring Black, Ed says that in July of 1991 the band stayed at a Howard Johnson’s across the street, and he and Jeff shared a room together, while Stone and Mike roomed together, and they lit incense and it was “so romantic,” then tells a story of how he snuck into Fenway and took two pictures behind home plate, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Ed comes onstage after the second break wearing a backwards #23 Red Sox batting helmet, and talks about pot being legal in Seattle, and that they rolled one up with something they found called “The Green Monster.” Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom joins for the debut cover of Taillights Fade. Out Of My Mind is played for the first time since the final Spectrum show in 2009, Ed making the shocking admission that the song doesn’t have set lyrics and that he just makes them up. Another Red Sox jersey is thrown at Mike during the Alive solo, but he doesn’t miss a beat and wears it on his shoulder for a few seconds before tossing it on a mic stand.

August 20, 2018 – Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, USA

Show Covered by Podcast

Main Set: Given To Fly, Why Go, Go, Last Exit, Mind Your Manners, Do The Evolution, Rain, Throw Your Hatred Down, Even Flow, U, In My Tree, Immortality, Daughter/(It's O.K.), Unthought Known, Jeremy, I Am A Patriot, Lukin, Porch

encore 1: We're Going To Be Friends, Come Back, Corduroy, Black, Lightning Bolt, Rearviewmirror, Smile, Evil Little Goat, Leash, Alive, Baba O'Riley

Show Notes:

Ominous weather all day culminates with a 2 hour rain delay, bringing back memories of 2013. Ed enters wearing swim trunks, says “Good evening,” and asks the crowd to give themselves a big hand. Given to Fly lyric is altered…

Show Notes: 

Ominous weather all day culminates with a 2 hour rain delay, bringing back memories of 2013. Ed enters wearing swim trunks, says “Good evening,” and asks the crowd to give themselves a big hand. Given to Fly lyric is altered to “made it out to Wrigley felt the rain in the breeze.” Right on cue, rain begins pouring harder and continues through the next four songs. After Mind Your Manners, Ed asks to see the crowd and plays call-and-response. He refers to Boom and a Hawaiian expression that rain is a blessing, and explains that this night is the answer to his childhood dilemma: “it rains in heaven.” Do the Evolution lyrics are flubbed, Ed asking the crowd during Stone’s solo to “sing in the rain.” Rain is wonderful and appropriate. Throw Your Hatred Down is dedicated to the South Side, “with love.” Even Flow gets extended due to another blooper (to the dismay of Stone) and Ed improvises lyrics to make light of the situation. He praises Mike who, in his plaid pants, had his behind-the-back solo moment, shouts out Buddy Guy, and spots a “The Incredible Matt Fucking Cameron” sign, trying different versions of the phrase. “Goodbye Girl” intro to Immortality. Jeff, with “META-PHOR” still on his amps, referencing the Missoula controversy, shines during ‘Jeremy.’ After Lukin, Ed plays a reprise with “I’m going to Wrigley” lyrics. After the break, Ed comes onstage wearing a Chris Chelios jersey and announces that the band will no longer tour from April to October because he’s been offered a dream job to “smoke some pot and put up some numbers” in the scoreboard. White Stripes’ Lots of Chicago references during We’re Going to Be Friends. Chelios then appears with the late Stan Mikita’s jersey, and Come Back is played in his family’s honor with the 2016 World Series trophy in the background. “Go Cubs Go” call-and-response during Corduroy. Ed asks the band not to leave the stage during the “encore” transition due to approaching extended curfew. Smile is played by request. Dirty Frank chants are answered with the first live performance of Ten-era rehearsal track Evil Little Goat. Baba closes, with Danny Clinch playing harmonica and Ed destroying his blue telecaster. Poor Stone misses the band photo, and Ed thanks each section of the field by Cubs player name.

August 18, 2018 – Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, USA

Show Covered by Podcast

Main Set: Wash, Low Light, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Breakerfall, Corduroy, Hail, Hail, Animal, Getaway, Leaving Here, Present Tense, Even Flow, Missing, Garden, Not For You/(Modern Girl), Can't Deny Me, Wishlist, I Won't Back Down, Porch

encore 1: Just Breathe, Sleeping By Myself, Footsteps, State Of Love And Trust, Breath, Know Your Rights, Do The Evolution, Alone, Rearviewmirror

encore 2: Rebel Rebel, Better Man, Alive, Rockin' In The Free World, Yellow Ledbetter

Show Notes:

Ever conscious of the band’s relationship with the weather at Wrigley, the opening lyrics of Wash are changed to “oh please don’t let it rain today…this city’s so fuckin pretty.” Low Light is played as the sun sets, always a…

Show Notes: 

Ever conscious of the band’s relationship with the weather at Wrigley, the opening lyrics of Wash are changed to “oh please don’t let it rain today…this city’s so fuckin pretty.” Low Light is played as the sun sets, always a special moment. The Wrigley crowd belts out Small Town, and Ed remarks “you sound warmed up.” 2 songs in the uptempo section make their 2018 debuts, Breakerfall and Getaway. Leaving Here early in the main set is a surprise, Ed asking everyone to “keep a high modicum of respect for your fellow man, and certainly the women.” After a fantastic Present Tense, Ed comments, “nice to play a song like that under the beautiful moon of Wrigley Field,” and continues, saying that he sees a sign that reads, “Play ‘Black, Red, Yellow’ you Evanston pussy.” Teasing, Ed responds “We played it two years ago…where were you? Mike, will you just rip his head off with the guitar during this next song?” and Mike obliges with a ridiculous Even Flow solo. Missing is played next, as a perfect and heartfelt tribute to Chris Cornell. Ed introduces Matt, saying, “it’s like being the greatest pitcher and the greatest hitter” (referring to Matt’s roles in PJ and Soundgarden). Not For You is extended, with a call and response section where Ed asks the crowd to “say hi to [Cubs manager] Joe Maddon,” and they go back and forth with “heyyyy Joe,” then talks about how he “sure found joy in this place as a 6/7-year-old.” After Wishlist, Ed talks about this guitar that he has never taken on the stage before, given to him by Tom Petty during his last tour and that the Wrigley stops meant so much to him. Ed asks the crowd to light up their phones so that “we can all see you..get Tom to come back and visit,” then treats the crowd to a solo electric version of I Won’t Back Down. In the encore, Dennis Rodman brings Ed a ukulele after Just Breathe and thanks Chicago for their support and for always believing in him. The two ‘Singles’ soundtrack songs are played back to back. Ed is giddy as he talks about the Cubs to open the second encore, giving a huge thanks to Tom Ricketts (Chairman of the Cubs) for saving the 2013 show. Ed brings Tom out to the stage with the World Series trophy as the video screens replay a dramatic Cubs walk-off. The celebration continues as Yellow Ledbetter closes the show. Ed switches the lyrics to “I want to come this way again” and signs off with “Thank you, Chicago…sure is nice being in centerfield.”

August 13, 2018 – Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT, USA

Main Set: Pendulum, Low Light, Go, Do The Evolution, Arms Aloft, Mind Your Manners, Corduroy, Pilate, Even Flow, In My Tree, Down, Lightning Bolt, Not For You/(Modern Girl), Daughter/(It’s O.K.), Setting Forth, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town, Can’t Deny Me, Porch

encore 1: Bee Girl, Fatal, Imagine, Given To Fly, Throw Your Hatred Down, Better Man/(With or Without You/I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend/Save it For Later), Jeremy, Know Your Rights, Alive, Rockin’ In the Free World, Indifference

Show Notes:

The band partnered with Rock2Vote as well as several Montana organizations ahead of the 2018 midterm elections in setting up a festival on the grounds outside the stadium that included several musical acts and information booths, including “Goats for Votes”…

Show Notes: 

The band partnered with Rock2Vote as well as several Montana organizations ahead of the 2018 midterm elections in setting up a festival on the grounds outside the stadium that included several musical acts and information booths, including “Goats for Votes” featuring actual goats. Ed arrives on stage wearing an Evel Knievel (Montana native) jacket. After Mind Your Manners, Ed says that “music brings people together, and we are glad we have gotten together for an important reason,” and thanks Jeff for organizing this event, and for “inviting us, it’s nice to be back,” which inspires a “Jeff” chant, to which Ed toasts, leading Jeff to also partake from the wine bottle. Ed mentions he saw Paul McCartney in the same place and then plays a few bars of Blackbird.  He then mentions the Rolling Stones played there, prompting Mike and Matt to play a few bars of Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Then, Ed suggests they all play a different Rolling Stones song at the same time and counts it out, resulting in inevitable chaos. Crowd takes the final Even Flow chorus, followed by Ed offering that since they are on campus, he should give a history lesson, saying that their first real show 20 years ago with Matt Cameron was right here, and thanks Matt for “the best 20 years of this band’s life,” leading into In My Tree, which features “textbooks” instead of “newspapers” in the first line. After Down, Ed brings up the lights and points out a young girl on her dad’s shoulders who is keeping perfect time and giving him so much energy, remarking that it’s good to know that that is where the future of our country lies. He then gets the crowd to pass back a tambourine, which makes its way to her roughly 20-30 rows back despite Ed’s hesitancy noting “it’s better to give than to receive.” Lightning Bolt features the line “towards the great Big Sky.” Prior to Can’t Deny Me, Ed begins by remarking that election day should be a national holiday before noticing a couple in the front wearing matching “I Love Sex & Beer” shirts. He asks if they found each other today as they just happened to be wearing the same shirts, before getting each a beer, which they chug. He teases that he hopes that the other thing isn’t done as quickly. After the encore break Ed and Jeff appear alone on stage and Ed says  “can I talk about my friend Jeff Ament, a hometown hero? Our friend, the activist, philanthropist, not only is he an incredible skater, he builds skateparks and I would ask him how many he builds, but he doesn’t like to brag. He is much loved in the Seattle community and he’s never forgotten his roots here at home. Here’s our man, great bandmate, great bassist, writer, painter, Jeff Ament…Amen Ament. One more round as his mom and dad, George and Penny[…]on that fateful night a number of years ago, drunk on sex and beer, created this man here,” to which Jeff adds, “possibly.” Ed continues: “this is one of many collaborations…does that mean we colluded on this next song? We are guilty of collusion on this next song,” leading into Bee Girl. Betterman clocks in at nearly 9 minutes, with snippets of U2 and the Ramones before Save it for Later. Following Jeremy, Ed notes that this is the biggest benefit show they have ever done, and its importance with the upcoming midterm elections, and that they would never tell you who to vote for (while all band members have “Tester” shirts in honor of incumbent Senator Jon Tester). Ed dons the Evel Knievel jacket again before Indifference. Set heavy on Jeff songs, timely covers, and a unique 11-song encore.

August 10, 2018 – Safeco Field, Seattle, WA, USA

Main Set: Oceans, Footsteps, Nothingman, Why Go, Brain Of J., (Interstellar Overdrive)/Corduroy, Rats, In Hiding, Whipping, Even Flow, Missing, Daughter/(W.M.A./It’s O.K.), Immortality, I’m Open, Unthought Known, Can’t Deny Me, Do The Evolution, Lukin, Porch

encore 1: I Won’t Back Down, Thin Air, All Or None, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Crown Of Thorns, Kick Out The Jams, Spin The Black Circle, (Fernando)/Rearviewmirror

encore 2: Crazy Mary/(Paint It Black), Jeremy, Leash, Search And Destroy, Sonic Reducer, Alive, Baba O’Riley, Yellow Ledbetter

Show Notes:

Night 2 of The Home Shows, a two-night fundraiser supporting the homeless in Seattle. Many references to Seattle and ‘home’ through the night, starting with an “I’ll be home once more” lyric change in Oceans. Ed speaks after Corduroy: “Hello…

Show Notes: 

Night 2 of The Home Shows, a two-night fundraiser supporting the homeless in Seattle. Many references to Seattle and ‘home’ through the night, starting with an “I’ll be home once more” lyric change in Oceans. Ed speaks after Corduroy: “Hello family, hello friends, hello neighbors, hello visitors, hello Seattle.” Rats is dedicated to any “old Seattle residents that still might be residing.” After Whipping, Ed predicts that the world will be altered if people don’t show up in the elections. He then predicts that Mike will play out of his fucking mind, like always, but especially when he’s pissed off – he’s pissed off they are trying to tear down the Showbox, an iconic Seattle music venue. Later, during Even Flow, Ed starts a ‘Save our Showbox’ chant. Missing, a song from Chris Cornell’s Poncier tape, is debuted with no acknowledgement of Chris before or after. After Immortality, Ed introduces Matt and allows him to take a bow. He then tells a story about being excited about being in Rolling Stone for Temple of the Dog for the first time, even though Madonna was on the cover, and then intimates that Madonna even slapped his ass in front of his wife, and then tried to slap her ass as well, “but it didn’t work out.” He then shows Stone on the cover of Real Change magazine, saying “I’d take him over Madonna, he’s my kind of guy.” Ed is out solo after the break for I Won’t Back Down, saying he  wants to play the song to get Tom’s attention, so he can tell Tom that he misses him. Kim Thayil joins onstage prior to Kick Out the Jams. Kim shows his Chris Cornell t-shirt to the crowd and gets a huge crowd reaction. Spin the Black Circle is dedicated to Sub Pop Records. Rearviewmirror starts immediately after, and is aborted. Ed admits fault, saying he’s played the song “at least a couple times,” and drinks two huge pulls of the wine bottle, then continues: “I think I was playing the correct notes, but all I could hear is,” going into a few bars of Fernando by Abba. This seems to really amuse the rest of the band, all of them are seen smiling and laughing, as is most of the crowd. Before Search and Destroy, Kim Thayil is invited back, along with Mudhoney’s Steve Turner and Mark Arm. Lots of interaction between the guys during these two songs, the band all playing next to the guests, laughing and playing grab-ass. Lots of hugs as Ed acknowledges them again after Sonic Reducer. Before Yellow Ledbetter, Ed speaks again about local businesses contributing to the cause and giving portions of their sales, and again mentions homelessness, saying ”We want to be part of the solution…just don’t give up…this is not the time to give up, this is the time to rise up.”

Written by: Curtis Hames

August 8, 2018 – Safeco Field, Seattle, WA, USA

Main Set: Long Road, Release, Low Light, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Corduroy, Go, Do The Evolution, Throw Your Hatred Down, Mind Your Manners, Lightning Bolt, Given To Fly, All Those Yesterdays, Even Flow, (Help!)/Help Help, Black, Setting Forth, I Am A Patriot, Porch

encore 1: We’re Going To Be Friends, Nothing As It Seems, Let Me Sleep, Breath, Again Today, State Of Love And Trust, Rearviewmirror

encore 2: Wasted Reprise, Better Man, Comfortably Numb, Alive, I’ve Got A Feeling, Rockin’ In The Free World, Yellow Ledbetter/(Little Wing)

Show Notes:

First hometown show in almost 5 years. Huge cheer following Corduroy is met by Ed commenting, “We are Pearl Jam. We are from Seattle, Washington. I guess that must mean we’re home.” Ed later jokes that Safeco is beautiful, unlike…

Show Notes: 

First hometown show in almost 5 years. Huge cheer following Corduroy is met by Ed commenting, “We are Pearl Jam. We are from Seattle, Washington. I guess that must mean we’re home.” Ed later jokes that Safeco is beautiful, unlike the old Kingdome, quipping “The old concrete gray lady…she was kind of a bitch.” Former Mariner Randy Johnson is in attendance, and Ed jokes that Randy’s favorite band is actually Soundgarden (at which point Mike busts into a Superunknown riff). Before Even Flow, Ed tells a story about the song’s origin: a homeless man Ed used to see in town way back in the early days named Eddie, a Black Vietnam vet who used to walk around in a strange blue tarp and a shopping cart. Ed used to talk to him while he was out getting lunch and coffee, and eventually, he couldn’t find Eddie anymore. Later he found out that the man passed away and never got to hear the song written about their conversations. After a stirring Black, Ed talks about how Jeff moved from Montana to Seattle in the early ‘80s and met a guy working at the local coffee joint by the name of Andy Wood. A slowed-down, Ed-only, vocals and guitar rendition of Help! serves as an intro to Help, Help. Patriot is full band, very energetic. Ed brings two of his daughter’s teachers on stage after the break and dedicates We’re Going To Be Friends to them. Let Me Sleep is introduced as “a song we wrote a long time ago, and it was one of those things about where you wrote about what you know.” Brandi Carlile joins for Again Today, exclaiming “This is a dream come true!” Before the second encore kicks off, Ed talks about the $11M raised by the 2 shows to fight homelessness, and encourages the crowd to keep the momentum going and get out and vote, and that we can do it together. He mutters “It could have been me” before Wasted Reprise. Betterman has the cool, extended Save It For Later tag. I’ve Got A Feeling is played in Seattle for the first time in 25 years.

Written by: Brian Horwitz

August 22, 2016 – Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, USA

Show Covered by Podcast

Main Set: Oceans, Footsteps, Off He Goes, Better Man, (Summertime Rolls)/Corduroy, State Of Love And Trust, Why Go, Animal, Given To Fly, Immortality, Black Red Yellow, Deep, Jeremy, I Am Mine, Wishlist, Of The Earth, Lukin, Mind Your Manners, Rearviewmirror

encore 1: Throw Your Arms Around Me, Man Of The Hour, Last Kiss, Got Some, Comatose, Even Flow, Don’t Gimme No Lip, Sonic Reducer, Blood

encore 2: Crazy Mary, Surrender, Alive, All The Way, Time Has Come Today, Rockin’ In The Free World, Yellow Ledbetter, I’ve Got A Feeling

Show Notes:

Ed walks out onto the stage and proclaims that “it’s gonna be a looooong night,” setting the tone for the final show of 2016. The first 13(!) songs are all from the 90’s, paying service to the long-time fans that…

Show Notes: 

Ed walks out onto the stage and proclaims that “it’s gonna be a looooong night,” setting the tone for the final show of 2016. The first 13(!) songs are all from the 90’s, paying service to the long-time fans that have made Chicago such a memorable place to see them play. Unique setlist construction in the beginning of the show, as Footsteps, Off He Goes and Better Man are played in the 2, 3, and 4 spots. Ed gives a shout-out to the folks on the rooftop at Wrigleyville, saying it was there that he witnessed a “certain smoking utensil” for the first time. Prior to Corduroy, Ed’s voice fills the air with a snippet from Jane’s Addiction song “Summertime Rolls” for the first time since touring Lollapalooza in 1992 24 years ago. After Animal, Ed toasts the crowd and says they are so grateful for being asked to play there again. When they were asked, Ed responded “we’d have to sleep on it…when I did, I woke up in the middle of the night and had a dream that the Chicago Tribune headline said ‘lightning strikes twice,’” calling back to the infamous weather delay from the 2013 show. Black, Red, Yellow is played for only the 7th time, dedicated to the Chicago Bulls. Bulls legend Dennis Rodman joins them on stage and attempts to recite his answering machine playback line featured on the studio version. I Am Mine breaks the streak of 90’s material. Another rarity is broken out later in the set, as the unreleased Of The Earth makes an appearance. This version has a ton of power behind it, with a jammy and explosive bridge creating a euphoric, thunderous moment when the bridge transitions back into the lead riff. The momentum comes to a halt during Lukin, as Ed stops the song to call out an overzealous fan shoving his fingers in a woman’s face. The fan is escorted out by security as the crowd gives him the “hey hey goodbye” treatment. Then they pick up exactly where they left off, finishing Lukin with intensity. In the encore, Ed jokes that the fan who was kicked out looked like Steve Bartman (infamous Cubs fan known for interfering with a fly ball during an important playoff game), and makes mention of the flags around the ballpark, dedicating Throw Your Arms Around Me to all the travellers. A fan named Bob gets to sing along during Even Flow and gets some credit from Stone, before Stone takes the mic himself to sing lead on Don’t Gimme No Lip. The encore ends with more throwbacks to the early 90’s, ripping through loud and furious renditions of Sonic Reducer and Blood. Boom’s B3 is prominent on Crazy Mary, as he matches the sound of the Wrigley Field organ during his solo and tags the Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black. Ed tells a story about the late Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks and how during the 2013 Wrigley show, Ernie asked to keep Ed’s mitt which he said had a lot of love in it. Ed received his mitt back that night and proclaimed that a lot of magic is gonna happen there in the next few months (the Cubs would break their 108 year World Series curse that October). Ed’s Cubs anthem All The Way is played for the final time, as after the Cubs won the World Series he stated that he’d never play it again. A cover of Time Has Come Today, originally performed by The Chamber Brothers, is debuted late in encore 2. Rockin’ in the Free World has a lyric change, “Cubs colors on the streets,” and I’ve Got A Feeling, the song that closed out the show from The Metro, just down the street from Wrigley, in 1992 closes out this show. An instant classic, full of fun covers and 90’s fan favorites.

Written by: Randy Sobel

August 20, 2016 – Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, USA

Show Covered by Podcast

Main Set: Low Light, Release, Rain, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Do The Evolution, Last Exit, Lightning Bolt, Sad, Amongst The Waves, Even Flow, Light Years, I Got Id, Mind Your Manners, Unthought Known, Masters Of War, I Am A Patriot, Daughter/(W.M.A./Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)), Jeremy, Better Man/(Save It For Later)

encore 1: Bee Girl, Just Breathe, I Believe In Miracles, Let Me Sleep, Inside Job, Comfortably Numb, (Interstellar Overdrive)/Corduroy, Porch

encore 2: Go, Black, Surrender, Alive

Show Notes:

The first of the two Wrigley 2016 shows starts off with Low Light, as Ed pleads with the weather: “clouds roll by…” Immediately after, Ed shares “the last time felt like a once in a lifetime experience…and then when the…

Show Notes: 

The first of the two Wrigley 2016 shows starts off with Low Light, as Ed pleads with the weather: “clouds roll by…” Immediately after, Ed shares “the last time felt like a once in a lifetime experience…and then when the lightning hit, I was hoping it was a once in a lifetime experience…but nature is working with us tonight, and I think you’ve earned it…is there a guy named John in the front? Where’s John? Just want to point out someone here up front because he was the first guy in line two days ago…four days ago…and he wanted to be in front for this song because it meant a lot to him and he’s going through some stuff, and we’re gonna help him out,” leading to an emotionally charged performance of Release. After Release, the band launches into a cover of The Beatles’ Rain, another not-so-subtle nod to the weather the last time they played Wrigley. When Lightning Bolt starts, Ed remarks “gutsy move playing this one…” Amongst The Waves is dedicated to “Lake Michigan on a windy day.” Before Light Years, Ed wishes Gord Downie, the singer of the Tragically Hip who had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer, well on the last night of their farewell tour, saying “I just want to send them our energy from our gathering up to their gathering and wish the best to Mr. Gord Downie, we love ya.” Masters of War is performed electric, which gives the typically folk-tinged ballad an ominous, harder-edged feel. During the Save it for Later tag on Better Man, Ed hilariously goes off on a fan in the front row wearing a Whitesnake t-shirt, luckily the women next to him were wearing a “Janet Fucking Weiss” shirt and an “Unfuckwithable” shirt, which Ed gushes over.

After the break, Ed talks about the meaning behind the song Bee Girl, and how kids are exposed even more now, referring to Instagram as “Instaounce” and wanting them to be unfuckwithable, referring to the shirt again. During Just Breathe, Army Sgt. Kyle Johnson proposes to his girlfriend Amy, assisted by Ed, who changes the line to “he’s a lucky man.” Let Me Sleep is introduced as “a little number from a long time ago…it was written in Seattle the first winter I was there and it was snowing, which is rare for Seattle but the song was actually informed from experiences here, and growing up waiting on that fucking L train at 2:30 in the morning with 25 below windchill, thinking I was maybe not gonna make it through the night and wishing I had money for a cab.” Steve Gleason is brought out before Inside Job and delivers a message to the crowd, inspiring a powerful performance:

If you want my opinion, this stadium and this field are most sacred ground. Like all of you, I’m inspired and strengthened by the music of these guys. Mike and I have been friends for almost fifteen years and I’m grateful for the relationship that my family has with the Pearl Jam family. This next song is one of my all-time favorite songs ever. Everyone who has a heartbeat will face adversity but when you experience those moments, like the message in this song, please remember this, how we choose to feel is how we are and personally, I feel fucking awesome.

Before Comfortably Numb, Eddie thanks Steve and talks about being young and living in Chicago, saying:

“I was young and broke but I would get a bottle…and a cassette Walkman and headphones and sit there on the rocks and look at the water and look at the sky and look at the stars…I was looking in the sky and seeing like a whole world of possibilities, you know I was young with a whole world of possibilities but what were the options? You just didn’t know where any thread to any kind of future would be and this music was something that helped me and probably you too. It helped us imagine the possibility.”

Prior to All The Way, Ed waxes poetic about the Cubs, then a triumphant Baba O’Riley closes out the night.

Written by: Paul Wirt

August 7, 2016 – Fenway Park, Boston, MA, USA

Main Set: Pendulum, Off He Goes, Nothing As It Seems, Nothingman, Wishlist, (Interstellar Overdrive)/Corduroy, Animal, Hail, Hail, Lightning Bolt, In Hiding, Even Flow, Sirens, Draw The Line, Lukin, Not For You/(Modern Girl), Immortality, Deep, Jeremy, Unthought Known, Rearviewmirror

encore 1: Yellow Moon, Angel, Footsteps, I Believe In Miracles, Mind Your Manners, Better Man/(Save It For Later)

encore 2: Smile, Go, Love Reign O’er Me, Do The Evolution, Breath, Alive, Rockin’ In The Free World, Yellow Ledbetter/(Star-Spangled Banner)

Show Notes:

The vibe around the park was buzzing after Friday night’s set. Pendulum, now seasoned as an opener, sounds huge and beautiful bouncing off the Green Monster. Ed wastes no time getting conversational tonight, saying “things are gonna get moving real…

Show Notes: 

The vibe around the park was buzzing after Friday night’s set. Pendulum, now seasoned as an opener, sounds huge and beautiful bouncing off the Green Monster. Ed wastes no time getting conversational tonight, saying “things are gonna get moving real quick later on, but want to be sure to savor the moment,” prior to launching into a great trio of Off He Goes, Nothing as it Seems and Nothingman.  Wishlist is a revved up version before the night kicks into second gear with Corduroy, with a prologue of Interstellar Overdrive. Many in the crowd wanted to try and grab the 2nd to last verse, but the band had the early call and response jam for Ed built into this run. A spirited In Hiding is played as the sun disappears to summer twilight, and precedes a blues-drenched Even Flow performance by Mike. Sirens soars, Ed opines “life is short” prior to the opening lyrics, this comes up again as the band brings the song to a gentle close. Ed mentions how he and Jeff were talking earlier about the fragility of life, and how it feels there is more to lose these days. Red Mosquito is scratched from the set for Tom Hamilton to join the band on stage for an encore of Aerosmith’s Draw the Line. Mike wails on an epic Immortality. After the break, Ed gives a nod to the crowd and their energy through the years. The crescent moon has, at this time, been making its way up over the Fenway facades, prompting Ed to talk about the recording of Lightning Bolt and the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, and Yellow Moon opens the encore, written in reference to the event. Angel is for “the serious collector,” played for only the 2nd time since 1994, and reworked with a full band arrangement. Footsteps follows as the “veteran, more your Carl Yaztremski/Ted Williams…” ‘Small hands’ Donald Trump helps bring a cake on stage to help celebrate crew hand Simon’s birthday as the band prepares to play Smile. Love Reign O’er Me features an excellent keyboard intro from Boom, on a night where he is mostly subtle and in the background, given the set choices. Matt and Ed tease a bit of Temple of the Dog’s “Wooden Jesus” before launching into Breath. With the ballpark lights on after Alive, J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) joins the band on guitar for Rockin’ in the Free World, sporting a Cookie Monster t-shirt. Mike hands off his Les Paul to Ray Cameron during the first jam, and heads up to the drum riser to assist Matt, before eventually finding his way to Jeff’s bass, which Jeff trades for some cowbell. As the breakdown jam continues, Ed grabs his glove and proceeds to play catch with the crowd. Prior to the closer, Ed introduces Dick, who they have known from the Boston shows over the past couple of decades. Yellow Ledbetter is awash in feedback by Mike, closing with the Star-Spangled Banner. Ed reminds everyone “now don’t get ejected or arrested…goodnight.”

August 5, 2016 – Fenway Park, Boston, MA, USA

Main Set: Release, Long Road, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Low Light, All Those Yesterdays, Given To Fly, Mind Your Manners, Why Go, Daughter/(W.M.A./Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)), Even Flow, Faithfull, Grievance, I Am Mine, Down, Black, Do The Evolution, Masters Of War, I Am A Patriot, Porch

encore 1: Strangest Tribe, Society, Just Breathe, Sleeping With Myself, Wasted Reprise, Life Wasted, State Of Love And Trust, Comfortably Numb, Corduroy

encore 2: Draw The Line, Alive, I’ve Got A Feeling, Baba O’Riley

Show Notes:

Pearl Jam’s first ever show at Fenway Park opens with the 1-2 emotional punch of Release and Long Road. The mellow opening sequence continues with Elderly Woman and a stellar version of Low Light where Ed holds the final note…

Show Notes: 

Pearl Jam’s first ever show at Fenway Park opens with the 1-2 emotional punch of Release and Long Road. The mellow opening sequence continues with Elderly Woman and a stellar version of Low Light where Ed holds the final note for what seems to be an eternity. All Those Yesterdays features an incredible moment for the hometown fans as Ed points out all of the pennants hung around the park as the band all sings during the ending jam. Daughter has a short “Another Brick in the Wall (Pt. 2)”  tag after W.M.A., with an enthusiastic crowd joining in. Faithfull is dedicated to David Ortiz, and Down is preceded by Ed giving a shout out to “the greatest American historian in our lifetime…one of my favorite Bostonians who didn’t wear a Red Sox uniform”, Howard Zinn. Continuing the Red Sox theme, former pitcher Bronson Arroyo is brought on to play Black. Mike goes crazy on a fiery Masters Of War (played for the first time since 2008), followed up by a full band, rocking version of I Am A Patriot. After the break, Ed says “this thing might go extra innings tonight” and shows some Polaroids from early area shows, showing how small the crowds were, and tells a story about breaking into an empty Fenway Park to take Polaroids of the field. The ultra-rare Strangest Tribe opens the encore, followed by the Into the Wild track Society, each played for only the 2nd time at a PJ show.  Before Sleeping By Myself, Eddie asks “Can I get a uke up here?”, and a ukulele is promptly brought out by yet another Red Sox player, Kevin Youkilis, to the delight of the hometown fans. A tight SOLAT is followed up by a fabulous version of Comfortably Numb, and the extended Corduroy ends the first encore. The band borrows a song from 70’s Aerosmith as they begin encore 2 with “Draw The Line,” covered for the first time. After an energetic Alive, Ed introduces Stone as “the guy that writes most of the songs and is way more handsome than he thinks”, calls Matt “our batter,” and says Mike “throws a no-hitter every time.” I’ve Got A Feeling is played for the first time since 2004 in Boston (Ed mistakenly says it may be the first time since the 1994 Orpheum show), and is dedicated to a fan, Matthew Plummer, who had recently lost his father, via sportswriter Peter Gammons, who comes on stage as well. An epic show full of classic rock covers, rarely played songs, and baseball.

July 9, 2016 – Ride Festival, Telluride Town Park, Telluride, CO, USA

Show Covered by Podcast

Main Set: Nothingman, Pendulum, Thin Air, Sleeping By Myself, Off He Goes, Just Breathe, Angel, Society, Low Light, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Setting Forth, Corduroy, Why Go, Mind Your Manners, Even Flow, Glorified G, Daughter/(W.M.A.), Sirens, Unthought Known, Better Man/(Save It For Later)

encore 1: Santa Cruz, I Won’t Back Down, Smile, Given To Fly, Comfortably Numb, Black, Crazy Mary, Alive, Yellow Ledbetter

Show Notes:

Nothingman opens a show for the first time ever, as the show begins with a sit-down set that lasts 9 songs, perhaps a callback to Red Rocks 1995, also in Colorado. Ed cheers “Here’s to the thin air!” leading to…

Show Notes: 

Nothingman opens a show for the first time ever, as the show begins with a sit-down set that lasts 9 songs, perhaps a callback to Red Rocks 1995, also in Colorado. Ed cheers “Here’s to the thin air!” leading to the eponymous Binaural track. A kid in the front row gets one of Ed’s picks after Off He Goes. Just Breathe is stopped in the middle due to lights in Ed’s eyes. Afterwards, he introduces the next one as a “rare occurrence,” and Angel is played for the first time since 1994! The Into the Wild track Society is played with the full band for the first time, in honor of the setting. Jeff gets a shoutout before Low Light. Afterwards, Ed thanks locals and the people who found this spot (without the help of Google Earth) and decided to stay, and encourages everyone to pick up after themselves so they can be invited back. Unthought Known is dedicated “to the big sky.” After the break, another ultra-rare track is dusted off as Santa Cruz is played for only the second time, just Ed on the acoustic. It’s introduced as “a song written about a place, and then I realized if the words were adjusted, it would illustrate how we’re feeling.” The lyrics are changed to “east” instead of “south,” “I need the mountains to set me free, waterfalls to wash my soul,” and “I’ve got a feeling I just can’t hide, pulling into Telluride.” Ed plays I Won’t Back Down solo as well, but electric. Smile is dedicated to audience member David and his friends, in honor of a friend who passed away. Given to Fly lyric is changed to “made it to the mountains…” Ed references the show programs and “great faces on the back” who are in charge of the festival, and dedicates Comfortably Numb to festival organizer Jennifer (it’s her birthday). After Black, Ed compares the stars to the ones you can see from the Hawaiian Islands, leading into Crazy Mary, with Boom and Mike trading solos. Ed ends the thank-yous with “sleep good…there’s a lullaby…” and Yellow Ledbetter ends the night.

Written by: Joey Goodsir

June 11, 2016 – Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN, USA

Main Set: Go, Save You, Corduroy, Lightning Bolt, Given To Fly, Nothingman, Mind Your Manners, Even Flow, Wishlist, Arms Aloft, Daughter, Jeremy, Why Go, Porch

encore 1: Oceans, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Comfortably Numb, Do The Evolution, Better Man, Black, Alive, Rockin' In The Free World

Show Notes:

“Good evening! Past your bedtime?” Ed asks to open the show. A frenetic Go opens the set, and they don’t let up through Save You and Corduroy. Following Nothingman, Ed comments on “some candidate’s” proposed wall, telling the crowd a…

Show Notes: 

“Good evening! Past your bedtime?” Ed asks to open the show. A frenetic Go opens the set, and they don’t let up through Save You and Corduroy. Following Nothingman, Ed comments on “some candidate’s” proposed wall, telling the crowd a wall should be built around the candidate instead, a “5×5…a little cinder block window in there,” and then the energy picks back up with Mind Your Manners. Wishlist is dedicated to a couple in the audience who met 10 years ago at Bonnaroo. Four songs from Ten close the main set, and Oceans opens the encore. A touching moment follows, as Ed says he has a birthday cake for a girl but no candles, and asks the crowd to hold up their phones to serve as the candles. It’s for his daughter, Olivia, who’s celebrating her 12th birthday at the show, and he sings Happy Birthday to her along with the crowd, and the ‘candles’ are ‘blown out.’ Better Man nearly reaches 8 minutes, and then Brendan O’Brien joins onstage to play keys on an epic Black, that does go beyond 8 minutes. A throwback show, with 16 of the 22 songs from the band’s 1990’s albums, including 7 from Ten.

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