Episode 362: Boston, MA – 9/29/2004

2004 was an important Presidential election year following all of the political storylines that took place on the prior year’s tour. Sprouting from multiple artists’ displeasure with the Iraq War and other important issues that Americans faced, the Vote For Change tour was created and ran through early October leading up to the election. It featured headlining acts such Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Dave Matthews Band, The Chicks and more alongside Pearl Jam. Every location played was a city in a key swing state such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Missouri. Prior to those shows, the band played two warm up shows in Boston to prepare them for the run.

This night in Boston that we’ll cover in this episode features a handful of songs that you would never see come anywhere near a Pearl Jam show nowadays. Shows in 2004 included a lot of cover songs from the political spectrum that addressed the climate of the country at that point in time, songs like American In Me by Avengers, Lion’s Share from The Germs and X’s classic The New World. This show also features two songs from the early 90’s returning to the stage for the first time in ten years – Alone and a cover of The Beatles I’ve Got A Feeling.

Our discussions in this episode will stem from what was happening in America that time and why it was important for them to do this tour, how the death of Johnny Ramone shortly before this tour effected the band and the awkward setlist structure that may have some elements that the band can implement today. We’ll also discuss our successful EB fundraiser and the Matter Of Time documentary.