In early April Seattle, WA grunge rockers Pearl Jam embarked on a tour celebrating their 25th year as a band with no opening act. The tour made a stop in Hampton, VA at the famous Coliseum also known as the Mothership because of its dome shape. After deciding a few hours before show time to cancel their next stop on the tour in Raleigh, NC due to their opposition to the controversial House Bill 2 (HB2) they had recently passed, front man Eddie Vedder had a little extra aggression and energy for the performance opening with fast paced songs ‘Why Go’, ‘Mind Your Manners’, and ‘Corduroy.’ The crowd was in for a good show.

Pearl Jam, by Matt Lambert

Pearl Jam, by Matt Lambert

For those of you that aren’t aware, Pearl Jam is one of those bands that people follow around on tour because of their unique set lists, no two shows are ever identical. The show was no different, the band is great at tying in local stories, memories and people to incorporate them in the live show. Ed commented on how beautiful Hampton, VA was and that they hadn’t played in 8 years comparing it to the locust schedule. For a little over three hours the band played 32 total songs from 8 of their 10 studio albums as well as covers like ‘I am a Patriot,’ ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ and rare singles like ‘Breath’ from the Singles soundtrack, the whole show was engaging and left no one disappointed. Lead guitarist Mike McCready’s solos were on point most notable during ‘Even Flow’ and Soundgarden drummer turned Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron was keeping the beat behind the kit. Bassist Jeff Ament, rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard along with keyboardist Boom Gaspar glued it all together. Ed even performed a song from his solo efforts ‘Sleeping by Myself’ with full band help, and noting that Chris McCandless’ sister was in the crowd he played ‘Setting Forth’ from Into the Wild soundtrack (the film that was about Chris McCandless’ life).

Pearl Jam, by Matt Lambert

Pearl Jam, by Matt Lambert

Pearl Jam, by Matt Lambert

Pearl Jam, by Matt Lambert

Author’s note: I drove over 600 miles to get to the concert it was worth all of it. Pearl Jam is like one of the seven wonders of live rock and have to be seen at least once. Check out the rest of their tour dates at pearljam.com/tour.

Pearl Jam Set List:

Why Go

Mind Your Manners

Corduroy

Brain of J.

Faithfull

I Am Mine

Jeremy

Setting Forth

Even Flow

Daughter

Long Road

Wishlist

Sirens

Habit

Given to Fly

Lukin

Rearviewmirror

I Am a Patriot Cover

Sleeping By Myself

Come Back

Sad

Lightning Bolt

In My Tree

Breath

Do the Evolution

Porch

Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

Inside Job

Black

Alive

Rockin’ in the Free World Cover

Indifference

[slideshow_deploy id=’40946′]

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MATT LAMBERT

[amazon asin=B001N18HP0&template=iframe image1]