Pearl Jam introduced gravitas and catharsis to the Madison Sq. Backyard stage final evening (Sept. 11) on the twenty first anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist assaults, with frontman Eddie Vedder talking at size all through the present in tribute to the quite a few first responders who had been in attendance.
Vedder mentioned one, a person named Mike, advised him that he historically leaves the town on 9/11 as a manner of not having to relive the trauma, however this time, “thought it could be a good suggestion to be right here tonight with you.” Paraphrasing one other first responder, Vedder recalled how the US unified within the instant aftermath of the tragedy, in stark distinction to how bitterly divided the nation is at the moment. “There was a time we supported one another,” he mentioned. “That’s the half we can not neglect. Let these classes be remembered as our solidarity to come back collectively and hold this nation straight.”
The 24-song setlist amplified recurrent themes in Pearl Jam’s work that resonated strongly given the anniversary, from pleas for connection (“Launch”), elegies to misplaced loves (“Come Again”) and self-doubt as step towards a deeper understanding (“Current Tense”). “That is the thirty seventh time this band has performed in New York Metropolis,” Vedder mentioned. “I feel we’ve solely performed Seattle 50. Right here’s the factor — I don’t bear in mind half of these fuckin’ Seattle exhibits. I simply don’t. However I really feel like we bear in mind ever Manhattan present. This probably has the possibility to be probably the most memorable of all of them. We’re fairly honored to be spending this essential date with you.”
On the heels of an up-and-down present the evening earlier than at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, Pearl Jam went heavy on classics from minute one on the Backyard with “Launch,” signaling an emotional set to come back. “Porch” was a thunderbolt fifth within the set, a lot sooner than its ordinary slot, whereas “Given To Fly” and “Even Circulate” despatched the raucous crowd heavenward. Vedder additionally saluted freshly retired WNBA star Sue Chicken and tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, who had been rocking out on stage left and even caught considered one of Vedder’s tambourines later within the present.
The night’s lone actual rarity was Mom Love Bone’s “Crown of Thorns” appended with its “Chloe Dancer” intro, the primary time Pearl Jam had performed the 2 songs collectively since its Might 1, 2016, present on the similar venue. A canopy of the Lifeless Boys’ “Sonic Reducer” was additionally a welcome addition, having not been performed since earlier than the pandemic. In any other case, the set was dominated by tried-and-true favorites reminiscent of “Backyard,” “Higher Man,” “Why Go” and “Aged Girl Behind the Counter in a Small City,” which Pearl Jam carried out dealing with the viewers behind the stage.
The communal vibes continued on the call-and-response of “Do the Evolution,” throughout which Vedder donned a glittery black jacket he joked had been left behind by Harry Types the evening earlier than. Guitarist Mike McCready pulled Crimson Scorching Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith on stage on the finish of “Rockin’ within the Free World,” whereas Vedder ran laps across the stage and sprayed the viewers within the entrance rows along with his bottle of pink wine. “This was the very best evening ever,” Vedder mentioned earlier than departing. The sold-out crowd could be inclined to agree.
