Review: Pearl Jam @ Adelaide Oval 17-Nov-09
Other Artists November 18th, 2009
Last night I had the opportunity to check out Pearl Jam for the first time, thanks for a mate of mine who managed to get me ticket for $50. My short review is that it was $50 very well spent, and was certainly worth a full price charge. My lengthier review is as follows:
The evening started with us getting to the venue at about 6:30pm. By that time the opening act Liam Finn had already been and gone, and Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 were just starting. They put on a pretty good set from what I heard, though most of the set was spent in a long line to get a beer. Eddie Vedder came out to join the band for a cover of Queen’s Under Pressure.
Initial concerns that the sun was in a bad spot (the stage was facing east with the sun setting directly behind it) were quickly quashed, as the sun hit the horizon at more or less the same time as Pearl Jam came on stage. Security checking people getting access to general admission was pretty relaxed, we had seated tickets near the back somewhere and had no problems walking straight into GA. While it was great for us, those who paid a ticket premium to get into this area would justifiably be a little pissed.
Pearl Jam’s set was a mix of tracks both old and new. They rolled out the classics as expected, threw in about half a dozen tracks off their latest album and also played a cover of The Who’s The Real Me. Overall the setlist was pretty good, there were a few tracks I didn’t recognise, but I missed a few of their last albums, so that’s no huge surprise. Eddie was in great spirits during the show, taking plenty of chances to chat to the audience, certainly giving us the impression that they are genuinely happy to be in town and performing for us.
During the first encore Ben Harper joined the band onstage to play his slide guitar on the track Red Mosquito, and then sang Indifference in duet with Eddie. Other highlights of the set included a great extended jam during Even Flow, and a thumping version of Rearviewmirror, apparently not played in Adelaide since 1998. The oval lights coming on midway through Alive during the encore didn’t faze the band either, who seems to ignore this “get off stage” message and continued to finish their set as planned.
Sonically, the show is as good as any outdoor gig I can remember. Occasionally you could here a little reverb about the place, but overall the sound was top notch. Hat’s off to the audio crew for this show. The camera work and lighting were all great as well, though I’d guess when you’ve been around as long as Pearl Jam, and have access to the resources they do, you’d expect all of this. However, similar bands have been disappointing in this area, so it’s great to see someone get it right.
Overall, it was a great show, I’d almost go as far as to say it’s one of the top 10 gigs I’ve ever been to. If you’re a Pearl Jam fan given the opportunity to see them on this tour, then make sure you do – you won’t be disappointed.
21 Comments to “Review: Pearl Jam @ Adelaide Oval 17-Nov-09”
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who the fuck cares
Obviously you do as you took the time to comment…
That makes sense….i care about pearl jam concert reviews, because I posted that I don’t care about them….right. After you pull that dimwitted head out of your ass, kindly go fuck yourself.
Maybe Fourtheye isn’t the website for you then.
What are you, 12?
I was a little surprised to see a Pearl Jam review. But hey, I can understand wanting to share a pleasant experience. There seems to be no news of Tool anyway, so it’s still nice to come to this website and read something.
thanks for the review Hellboy. i saw them on this tour tour in Portland Or, and it was amazing.
that guy that commented up above to your review is an absolute jackass, fucking pussy. dont let idiots like that get to you. i am sure the vast majority appreciate your site.
thanks for the pearl jam review Hellboy. I live in Washington where Pearl Jam is from and its good to know that they are nailing shows just like up here in the Northwest.
how come people dont understand that you can put whatever the fuck you want on YOUR website what a retard.
thanks for the awsome site most infromative TOOL news there is.
RETARD is not politically correct. that is why i used jackass, fucking pussy. lol. gotta love the bravery involved in an internet, personal attack!
Saw Pearl Jam on halloween in Philly.. They played for over 3 1/2 hours, quite a show..
Would love to see Tool do that..
;-}~
Hightlight of the evening..LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0MtvJZU920
Ten was an excellent album, and they do put on a great live show (although it’s been over 15 years since I’ve seen PJ live)… it’s just that other than a few standout tracks, all the studio material since Ten has bored me. Glad you dug the show, and that was a really good review.
@Nostrenominon – Eat a dick.
thanx hellboy… super excited to finally see them… I’ve been to countless shows and yet have never attended a PJ show, as I have a similar opinion to Kittaan, but was not going to pass up a chance to see them. As you stated, with all their years in the game, you’d have to expect they have their shit together. I’d hate to look back in 20 years and realize, shit, I never actually seen that band perform. I’m hoping they play the reign o’er me cover. I remember that performance from the ahll of fame induction or whatever last year and it still stands out as one of the best cover song performances I’ve ever witnessed and that’s saying a lot since I was in in attendance thru lucifers dream box!
Cheers
Yeah, Pearl Jam don’t excite me musically that much these days, though the new album does have a few good tracks on it. I wasn’t planning on going until I scored this cheap ticket, though in the end I’m really glad I did get a chance to go along!
Pearl Jam, I think it is “given to fly” Brilliant. I hope they sang that at least
Ps.. Eddie is a stone cold Fox : P
No Given To Fly unfortunately. Full setlist can be viewed here http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/pearl-jam/2009/adelaide-oval-adelaide-australia-7bd73240.html though setlist.fm seem to be having technical problems as I write this…
Oh man Even Flow is one of those songs that I could live my entire life and never want to hear again
As for oldies…Yellow Ledbetter is still pretty damn’ good to me. I’m sorry it sucked. I felt that way when I saw the Black Crowes last December. One of my all time FAVORITE Bands…ever. When I saw them last December, eh, I actually left where I was standing (2 rows from the stage) to go get a beer. I had more fun talking to the security ladies then the actual show 
Ps.. Hellboy, I think it’s fucking awesome that we can talk about various bands and concerts that we attend/attended.
This Nostrenominon is a total douche bag…amazing. I guess if he doesn’t enjoy it it’s not worth mentioning? Sigh…cue some HUSH :O
I like kittaan’s comment… NICE!!!
I’ve always enjoyed PJ, even when I stopped purchasing
their releases. Eddie Vedder is a good vocalist and I
caught a pretty awesome live show a while back. Thanks
for the good review.
JJ!!