It can’t be said for everyone, but some bands are just built for the biggest stage possible. Legendary rock group Pearl Jam are one of those bands.
While most bands struggle just to fill out Madison Square Garden, Pearl Jam are the rare act that seem larger than the worlds most famous arena. They brought their highly sought 2016 tour to New York for two very sold out nights at The Garden, especially considering they most certainly could have sold out an additional couple of nights with ease. But with only two nights available, it made the shows that much more special for all those lucky enough to get their hands on tickets.
This was dubbed an evening with Pearl Jam, meaning no openers, just 3 hours of one of the most prolific bands in modern day rock and roll. For such a large show, it was refreshing to see that Pearl Jam didn’t resort to fancy stage set ups or tricks to beef up a live show that speaks for itself. After 25 years of consistently reliable music and legendary live performances, all we need to see is the band on stage doing their thing. That’s the magic of groups like Pearl Jam or Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band. They turn the arena and their dedicated patrons into the stage itself, using them as extra singers and an additional boost of energy. It’s hard not to be moved when you hear 18,000 + singing along to every single word alongside the ever-so familiar vocals of Eddie Vedder on their deep list of fan favorites, such as on “Corduroy,” “Even Flow” “Jeremy” or “Rearviewmirror.”
There’s no doubt that Vedder is the spirited leader of the Seattle group, but this is an equal playing field. Whether it’s guitarist Mike McCready going up and walking up into the crowd to rock a solo, bassist Jeff Ament leading through the distinctive opening bass-riff of “Jeremy,” steady work of guitarist Stone Gossard and drummer Matt Cameron, each member plays an equally crucial role in the Pearl Jam operation (not to forget long-time touring member Boom Gaspar)
The band played a three-hour set spanning 36-songs and featured two encores, all of which somehow went by way too quick. Vedder and company delivered an unexpected cover of The Doobie Brothers “Takin’ It To The Streets” along with Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” to go along with a set that every Pearl Jam diehard could go home happy with.
It was only my second time seeing Pearl Jam live, but it is definitely high up there amongst the best shows I’ve ever seen at MSG, and one of the best shows I’ve seen so far this year. They still got it, as if there was ever any doubt.
Find the full setlist below, along with a gallery of photos from Night 1.
Pearl Jam Setlist:
1. Go
2. Mind Your Manners
3. Corduroy
4. Hail Hail
5. Given to Fly
6. Low Light
7. Release
8. Even Flow
9. I Got Id
10. In Hiding
11. Rats
12. Down
13. Dangerous Business (Paul Williams Cover)
14. Wishlist
15. Jeremy
16. Do the Evolution
17. Why Go
18. Lukin
19. Rearviewmirror
Encore 1:
20.The End (Eddie solo Acoustic)
21. Future Days (Eddie, Matt and Boom)
22. ff He Goes
23. Footsteps
24. Chloe Dancer (Mother Love Bone Cover)
25. Crown of Thorns (Mother Love Bone Cover)
26. Unthought Known
27. Takin’ It to the Streets (The Doobie Brothers Cover)
28. Whipping
29. Better Man
30. Porch
Encore 2:
31. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
32. Lightning Bolt
33. Black
34. Alive
35. Rockin’ in the Free World (Neil Young Cover)
36. Indifference
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