- May 29, 2024
Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter Tour electrified Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena with a memorable performance and a heartfelt tribute to NBA legend Bill Walton. Frontman Eddie Vedder’s emotional homage and the band’s powerful set left fans in awe, celebrating their deep connection to the city and their enduring legacy in rock history.
Pearl Jam Rocks Hometown During Dark Matter Tour
A controlled yet massive squall guitar feedback heralded the arrival of Pearl Jam. As the large curtain covering a massive projection screen drew back, the members of Pearl Jam filed on stage, their silhouettes cast onto a crescent of light on the massive backdrop, reminiscent of the moon rising above a dark horizon.
For all the excitement that accompanies a rare Seattle Pearl Jam show, a sense of temporary calm washed over the sold-out Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday during the opening verse of “Release” — a fan favorite off their debut album, Ten. However, this calm wouldn’t last. As the song came into bloom, Eddie Vedder’s shadow led what felt like a secular hymn, consecrating the proceedings.
“I’ll ride the wave,” Vedder sang, pausing like an archer drawing his bow. “Where it, takes me.” His signature vibrato sent shockwaves from the front and to the back of the arena, sparking a full-throated singalong. Pearl Jam wasted no time to send chills through the crowd.
A Homecoming Like No Other
“Well, look at us, we’re home,” Vedder said directly after that opening song of the setlist. The band was back in town, capping the first leg of their Dark Matter World Tour with a pair of shows at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattleites, and those who traveled to the Emerald City for the occasion, squeezed these hometown shows a little tighter. The band paid homage to two basketball legends, including the late Bill Walton and the Storm’s Sue Bird, whose jersey hangs from the arena’s rafters.
It had been six years since Pearl Jam last played a local sports complex, making Tuesday’s two-hour-and-20-minute set at the new Climate Pledge Arena even more special. “It’s about time we play this damn place,” Vedder said after a soul-easing “Low Light,” a track from their fifth studio album, Yield, that greeted the crowd like a smile from an old friend.
Despite a few feedback hisses during the first half of the band’s set, Climate Pledge Arena had never sounded better. The pristine mix was perfectly dialed in for the room, even during a dazzling opening performance from fellow Seattle rock favorites, Deep Sea Diver, as fans were still filling the seats.
Emotional Highs and Rock Thunderbolts
There were plenty of tender moments throughout the night, including an emotional “Man of the Hour” dedicated to Bill Walton. Vedder’s solo acoustic turn on “Just Breathe” went out to “long relationships” and the band members’ wives, who were all in attendance. Yet, at times, Vedder and the band seemed more interested in raining thunderbolts down upon the crowd like rock ‘n’ roll gods.
Pearl Jam’s Heartfelt Tribute to Bill Walton
“We woke up yesterday to the sad news that somebody we had met a number of times, and every time we saw him, he made such a huge impression,” frontman Eddie Vedder remarked. “He was a big man with a huge heart and cut a wide path of peace and love behind him.”
As Vedder spoke, a photo of Walton attending a Pearl Jam concert in San Diego flashed on the screen, eliciting a cheer from the crowd. “Goddamnit Bill, we miss you already. I just want to state our love for you in public,” Vedder continued. “Thanks for all the good energy. Wish us luck down here. I know you’re fine.”
The band then launched into “Man of the Hour,” a song originally written for the 2003 film “Big Fish” and included on their 2004 greatest hits album “rearviewmirror.” This marked the first performance of the song on their current 2024 tour.
Photos of Walton’s smiling face from a previous Pearl Jam concert adorned the screen as Vedder shared stories of meeting him. Vedder expressed his amazement at the size of the crutches Walton used after surgery and spoke fondly of Walton’s love for music, particularly the Grateful Dead.
“Thanks for all the good energy, and wish us luck down here. I know you’re fine,” Vedder concluded, his voice tinged with emotion. The heartfelt tribute resonated deeply with the audience, adding a poignant layer to an already memorable evening.
The Rock Thunderbolts of the Night
During the runaway crescendo on “Scared of Fear,” Mike McCready’s guitar screamed and squiggled against the backdrop’s amber lines. Rolling into “React, Respond” — a nervy post-punk track formed around a Jeff Ament riff — McCready bounced around the stage like a teenager who “popped his knee out” playing Bumbershoot on the same Seattle Center campus 40 years ago.
Seattle Memories and Musical Heritage
The history and connection Pearl Jam has with Seattle became palpable as they played to a crowd dotted with Ten Club Mariners T-shirts and Kraken-colored Pearl Jam hockey jerseys. Vedder reflected on the town’s significance after the healing “Wreckage,” a call for unity amid political division. “This town is full of memories,” he said. “We wrote this song there, we recorded that one there, broke up a fight over there. Things have changed a bit, sometimes maybe a lot, but this has been our home for over 30 years.”
The local history-makers gave nods to Jimi Hendrix as the show wound down, first with Deep Sea Diver for a rousing “All Along the Watchtower” and then with the fan-favorite mashup of “Yellow Ledbetter” and Hendrix’s “Little Wing.” “Oh Mike, how do we say goodbye?” Vedder asked, spurring McCready to launch into the mashup.
Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter World Tour
Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter World Tour has been a resounding success, showcasing the band’s enduring relevance and musical evolution. Their latest album, “Dark Matter,” features gripping tracks that seamlessly blend with their classic hits, creating a dynamic setlist that resonates with fans old and new.
Eddie Vedder’s stage presence remains as commanding as ever, his voice carrying the weight of decades of experience and passion. The band’s lineup, featuring Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Matt Cameron, continues to deliver powerful performances, each member contributing to the band’s iconic sound.
The Legacy of Pearl Jam
Since their formation in 1990, Pearl Jam has solidified their place as one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Their debut album, “Ten,” released in 1991, became an instant classic, with hits like “Alive,” “Even Flow,” and “Jeremy” capturing the spirit of a generation. Over the years, the band has continued to evolve, experimenting with different musical styles while staying true to their roots.
Pearl Jam’s activism and philanthropy have also played a significant role in their legacy. The band has been involved in numerous charitable causes, supporting environmental initiatives, human rights, and social justice. Their commitment to making a positive impact on the world sets them apart as not just musicians, but as advocates for change.
The Unique Setlists of Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam’s performance at Climate Pledge Arena was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of their enduring connection to Seattle and their fans. As Vedder closed the show with the new song “Setting Sun,” he left the audience wanting more. “You make us want this to be a more usual occurrence,” he said. “We don’t want you to get bored with us, but we’d love to come back and do this again — I mean Thursday, but then again and again and again.”
With their Dark Matter World Tour, Pearl Jam continues to captivate audiences around the globe, proving that their music and message are as powerful as ever. As they look to the future, fans can rest assured that Pearl Jam will keep riding the wave, wherever it takes them.
Pearl Jam Setlist 5/28/24:
Release
Thin Air
Low Light
Given to Fly
Scared of Fear
React, Respond
Wreckage
I Am Mine
Even Flow
Dark Matter
Daughter
Upper Hand
Waiting for Stevie
Man of the Hour
Satan’s Bed
Rearviewmirror
Just Breathe
River Cross
Running
Deep
Do the Evolution
Alive
All Along the Watchtower
Yellow Ledbetter into Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Setting Sun
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