Concert review: Pearl Jam at the United Center
Eddie Vedder has a way of telescoping even sprawling stadium shows into intimate moments. At Pearl Jam’s sold-out concert Sunday at the United Center, Vedder opened the second encore alone on stage with a guitar and a story.
He related how as a 6-year-old growing up in suburban Evanston he would listen to his older siblings play records in the basement. One band in particular fascinated him – the Jackson 5. “The lead singer was only three or four years older than me,” he said, and then delivered a haunting, finger-picked version of Neil Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done” in tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
In a career-spanning 27-song, 2 ½-hour set, Vedder took fans from his childhood to the future, introducing three songs from the band’s forthcoming studio album, “Backspacer.” The album opens a new chapter in Pearl Jam’s career, its first independent release at a time when the music industry is racked by economic woes.
Perhaps for that reason the band played like something more was at stake than just another sold-out concert in a career full of them. In the past, there were times when Pearl Jam’s arena-rock obsessions got the best of it; long solos and flabby improvisation aren’t the band’s strong suit. At the United Center, the Seattle quintet sprinkled its set with references to Led Zeppelin (the guitar riffs in “Given to Fly” and “In Hiding”) and The Who (overwrought covers of not one but two songs from Vedder’s sacred text, “Quadrophenia”).
But these moments were tips of the hat to the setting, a chance for the audience to sing along. The bulk of the concert was devoted to terse, tactile assaults built on a bed of as many as three rhythm guitars. After the moody invitation to explore, “Long Road,” the tone was set emphatically by “Corduroy,” “Why Go” and the tangled guitars of Stone Gossard and Mike McCready on “God’s Dice.”
Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament frequently huddled in front of Matt Cameron’s drum riser, as if to ensure that the rhythm would stay hard, fast and sure. Vedder punctuated the attack with leaping spins, his right hand a blur as he pummeled his guitar. His rafter-climbing days may be over, but he didn’t so much sing the songs as detonate them. The new material fit the evening’s urgent mode.
Pearl Jam's earliest songs were embittered confessions, informed by confusion and anger. Their latest are declarations of resolve. As Vedder sang in “The Fixer,” “When something’s gone, I wanna fight to get it back again.” Sunday night was the sound of Pearl Jam getting back in the ring.
greg@gregkot.com
Pearl Jam set list Sunday at the United Center
1 Long Road
2 Corduroy
3 Why Go
4 God’s Dice
5 Dissident
6 Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
7 Sad
8 The Fixer
9 Given to Fly
10 Happy Birthday/Come Back
11 Even Flow
12 Save You
13 In Hiding
14 Man of the Hour
15 Insignificance
16 Got Some
17 Spin the Black Circle
First Encore
18 Love Reign O’er Me (Who cover)
19 Life Wasted
20 The Real Me (Who cover)
21 Alive
Second Encore
22 The Needle and the Damage Done (Neil Young cover)
23 Rats
24 Supersonic
25 Smile
26 Rearviewmirror
27 Yellow Ledbetter/Star Spangled Banner
Photo: Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam perform at the United Center. Tribune photo by Anthony Robert La Penna.
Greg, thanks for always writing honest reviews!
Posted by: Mario | August 24, 2009 at 04:23 AM
Hard to take a review seriously when you can't even get a band member's name right. It's Matt Cameron.
Greg replies: Sorry about the typo. Fixed.
Posted by: Lisa | August 24, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Reading through last night's set list made me feel a bit nervous about tonight's concert (which I will be attending). Although I loved most of what was played. I had to re-read it several times looking for Jeremy, then re-read it again looking for Daughter . . . Black, Porch, RVM, Red Mosquito, Once, Immortality, Nothingman, Wishlist, Animal, Evolution, and finally still can't believe they would leave out Betterman.
Does this mean tonight's concert will include all these amazing left out hits ? Or is this proof that Pearl Jam simply has too many hits to fit into 2.5 hours ?
Posted by: Alex D | August 24, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Tonight's show will probably have no repeats except for the new material. Hard to say what show is better - but last night's show was great. Esp. the lack of political talk. Greg - I think the better tribute to MJ was during the follow up to Needle and the Damage Done with 'Rats' where filled the UC with shouts of "Ben, the 2 of us need look no more".
Posted by: drew c | August 24, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Perhaps we were at different shows. I was bored to tears by this concert, the first time it's happened to me at a PJ show. I also beg to differ about the 'sold out' status as Jam papered the hell out of this show (tonight as well). We received no less than three calls asking if we needed free tix for clients, friends, etc.
Finally, they should drop the new tunes, they do nothing but serve as a reminder that the band just doesn't have what it takes to write material like they did 15 years ago.
Posted by: Kevin Laymen | August 24, 2009 at 01:15 PM
I would have liked to hear one more PJ song rather than one more Who song, but I will say the 'Love Reign O'er Me' cover was awesome.
And I disagree about the new tunes. People have been trying to write PJ off ever since No Code came out, apparently looking for more of the same so they have an excuse to get their flannels out of the closet. Let the new songs incubate and the true classics will reveal themselves, just like 'Smile', 'Wishlist' and 'I Am Mine' have in the past.
Posted by: J | August 24, 2009 at 02:18 PM
During the show I knew it was going to get mixed reactions. For fans who like the new songs and less-played songs just as much as the old stuff, they'd love it. I really don't think there are that many Pearl Jam fans of that kind left to fill the United Center, so a show like this is probably better suited for a smaller venue, and if they're going to play a stadium, might have to trot out the tired stadium rockers to keep everyone else who doesn't listen to an album passed Vs. happy.
Nice to see that Pearl Jam doesn't bow down to that though. I thought it was a fun show and a good mix of pop & not pop pearl jam. good to hear stuff I haven't heard much played live over the years, and am looking forward to seeing how they change it up tonight.
Posted by: Mookie Blaylock | August 24, 2009 at 04:19 PM
In my opinion, Pearl Jam is still the most consistent band in the business - they deliver every single time they take the stage. Hopefully that doesn't change tonight : ) I also think that PJ is the classic rock band of our generation (I'm 28), something our kids will be listening to as we do The Who or Neil Young ... not ironically - bands PJ frequently covers.
Oh and I'll agree with the previous poster, the post-Vitalogy era was rough, but their last studio album took things back to the PJ we're used to, and from what I hear, the newest album stays on that same track. Thanks for the great reviews Greg!
Posted by: Billy | August 24, 2009 at 04:31 PM
I never miss Pearl Jam when they come to Chicago. Pearl Jam has a rule with set lists. They never play the same set list the next night and they never play the same set in a city twice. In my opinion the two sets they played at the United Center in 2006 were the best I have ever heard. I did not go to last nights show expecting the same kind of set. However I still was very excited and thought it was a good show. I have never left a Pearl Jam concert disappointed. Its obvious there are many types of PJ "fans". There are the true fans that have loved this band since the beginning and did not fade off after No Code. And there are the whiny fans who are picky about what they hear. If someone went to last nights show and was bored to tears or complained they did not hear all the songs they wanted well then I guess we are very different. I do wish that they did not play so many covers and thank god they didn't play Betterman. For me the highlights of last night's set were Dissident, Insignificance, Rearviewmirror, Alive, and Smile. I am looking forward to tonight's show and have a feeling it will be a much stronger set.
Posted by: Jarred | August 24, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Drew C -
Next time you come to a show with 18,000+ fans standing for 2.5 hours belting out singing along with the lead singer on not only the classics but also the lesser known tunes - either standup and join in or get out - but put down the iphone - your facebook friends can wait
Posted by: DR | August 24, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Pearl Jam not what I expected
JRfromwindsor
First time seeing Pearl Jam. I wanted to see them after buying the the Imagine in Cornice DVD which was amazing. I found the show a bit of a snooze but probably because I don't know much of the material other than their classic hits of which they played only 2 or 3. Presentation, didn't start with a bang and the finish was equally down. Most of the fans seemed to enjoy it though. Whats with the Chicago fans sitting down on their butts after PJ went off before the first encore? Detroit/Windsor fans make sure they let the band know they want them back..
Sorry PJ fans, had to stir the pot. Had a great weekend in Chicago otherwise. Chicago is a great town.
Posted by: JR | August 24, 2009 at 06:22 PM
The show was awesome. If someone was bored to death they don't know great music and are not true PJ fans. The place was definitely sold out and those of us who were lucky enough to attend were treated to an incredible show. I only wish I could have stayed over tonight and went again.
Posted by: Mike V | August 24, 2009 at 08:26 PM
I can not believe how many that doesn't appreciate albums past vs. The thing is...and this is an HUGE secret to many i guess....you need to listen to some songs more than once.......No code is an extraordinary album when it comes to artistic and technical quality. Also is Yield, Binaural and Riot Act. PS! Some of the binaural songs need headphones......I hope Pearl Jam never becomes a nostalgica with stadium conserts singing only Ten and Vs. songs.
Posted by: JmB | August 25, 2009 at 03:54 AM
I brought my son to his first concert on Sunday because I wanted to show him the best band in the business. The set list reminded me of the Vic show in 2007. I enjoy hearing the non-greatest hits, so I picked the best night to attend.
Posted by: Rod K | August 25, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I was at both Chicago shows and I'd have to say the Monday show had by far the better set list...not necessarily hits...but mix of songs was great. Not For You, In My Tree, Present Tense, Nothingman...Add to this Black, Daughter and Neil Young's F'ing Up near the end, and it made for a great show. I've seen the songs from both nights before given that this is was my 12th show (a newbie to many). I also got great fan club seats thanks to Ten Club (7th row in first section on side). I would call Sunday a good show and Monday a great show. They seldom disappoint.
Posted by: Dave M | August 25, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Thanks for the review. Where can we find a review of Monday's show?
Greg replies: We didn't review the second night, though by all accounts I've been getting today from e-mailers, it was a great show.
Posted by: AR | August 25, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Sunday was my 6th PJ concert. After every one, I turn to my wife and say this was the best show yet. They get better everytime. PJ is proof that the Rock Band is alive and doing well. Long live Rock and Roll! I loved the set list. I heard songs that I never heard them play live and the new songs fit perfectly. I was glad they didn't play all their new songs. It would have been much harder to sing along. LOL. PJ is the future Rolling Stones. They'll be rocking when my kid is grown or at least this die hard fan hopes so.
J
Posted by: J Hunt | August 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Drew C- night 2 was definitely better, but night 1 was anything but boring. Check your pulse, mate. i think it's died. Or perhaps you're just one of the spoiled ones.
Posted by: Amy | August 25, 2009 at 09:16 PM
I attended the Monday night show and it was AWESOME! I did not have any expectations on what songs would be played. Jam belted out many of my favorites. Thanks to you Pearl Jam.
dot94 - Evansville, Indiana
Posted by: Dot94 | August 25, 2009 at 09:23 PM
I attended Monday's show and have to say the Setlist was AWESOME!~ Eddie never leaves the people in Chi-Town feeling dissatisfied!
PJ Forever!
Posted by: T-Dub | August 26, 2009 at 01:37 PM
I went to Monday night's concert and it was the beat.. Pearl Jam att their finest and full of energy. The set list was fantastic,and I am glad I went on Monday.. Eddie Vedder showed us ow happy he was to be playing in Chicago again.
I really wish you had reviewed Monday's concert...or at least put the set list in print. ..
.
Posted by: kat c | August 27, 2009 at 06:11 AM
I have been a PJ fan since day one and am now 50yrs.old! Had great fan club tics and my sister and I went...THEY ROCKED...I always wanted to go to both shows, but financies always get in my way! They always give a steller show and this one was no exception. Just as good as 2006 and that was AWESOME. They will be reguarded as one of the best bands is history and deserve all of it... I love them!
Posted by: karen porter | August 28, 2009 at 05:27 PM