After a 12 year absence, Pearl Jam returned to Sweden in 2012 for the first time since the Binaural tour. Today’s episode will focus on that show and how a fanbase that had been deprived of their band came through and surprised a lot of people, basically forcing their hand to return in two years. This is a Patreon request from Michael Jonsson who was ecstatic to see them in his home country for the first time, and we’ll share his story here. This set defines a pretty typical Pearl Jam move whenever they play a play they haven’t visited in a while and that’s to hit the crowd with the Ten record. Eight songs off of Ten were played, but possibly considered the rarity of the bunch, Garden is a highlight in a set that was looking for a standout moment. We also get the second and last performance of Kinks cover Better Things that was released as a Ten Club single in 2011, but we’ll debate over whether or not their rendition is the best take on the song. In addition to the show, Randy and John once again discuss the Earthlings performances from the past week elaborating a little bit on the previous reaction episode. This time we’ll talk about why maybe we were a little bit too harsh on Andrew Watt who is set to produce the next Pearl Jam record, whenever that may be.
Episodes Covering Pearl Jam Concerts in 2012
We’re back to Europe as our Around The World series continues with a stop in Copenhagen, Denmark from 2012. It was the end of a 13-show summer European tour in a year where the band wouldn’t tour much outside of those dates and a few late summer US festivals. It would also mark the end of the Backspacer era leading way to new music a year later from Lightning Bolt. It is pretty much a guarantee on the last night of a tour that the band is gonna be in a good mood and leave everything they have on the stage. The Monday crowd brought their A-game too as they showed their chops on versions of Elderly Woman, Do The Evolution, Love Boat Captain, Even Flow and Better Man. The band looked to sprint through the first set (that ended at approx 67 minutes) to get the crowd to sweat inside a very hot building.
For this episode, we dig into show that was made especially for Pearl Jam fans. Amsterdam’s Night 2 at the Ziggo Dome in 2012 features a setlist created by lifelong fan Brian Farias. Warning: this set is not for the weak at heart! The main set is one of the fastest, hard rockin’ sets you’ve ever heard and even features a new take on rarely played live song Bugs. This episode is guaranteed to rock your face off. So if you’re ready for a loaded set without the likes of Even Flow, Porch or Do The Evolution, you’re gonna be in for a treat.