Morning:
13°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
John Aizlewood's rating
Reader rating
Description: Eddie Vedder brings his Seattle grunge veterans over for a one-off UK show.
Mr Chat: the usually sulky frontman Eddie Vedder was in a talkative mood
From the Borderline in '92 to the O2 in '09, it's been a long slog for Pearl Jam.
With Soundgarden and Nirvana long gone, they are the last band standing of the Seattle grunge titans who changed the course of pop music in the early Nineties.
These days, they're standing taller than ever and last night's 28-song jamboree sold out in 14 minutes.
More to the point, having spent much of this century in a water-treading coma, they have re-engaged and for all singer Eddie Vedder's protestations that "we have to pace ourselves these days", last night's nearly three-hour set suggests these fortysomethings are not wilting.
It's taken them a while and although you wouldn't know it from Vedder's unbecoming outfit of shorts, trainers and socks, Pearl Jam have grown up.
Where once they were sulkier than a poutload of supermodels, these days Vedder is Mr Chat and his colleagues Mr Smiles.
Surprising as it seemed, Vedder (now resembling the improbable offspring of Bill Bailey and Mission-period Robert De Niro) actually seemed to enjoy himself.
When covering The Who's Love Reign O'er Me; Holland-Dozier-Holland's Leaving Here or even the ominous Victoria Williams obscurity Crazy Mary, he glowed, a singing child in a musical sweetshop.
To the delight of an audience including actors Josh Brolin, Jonah Hill, Tim Robbins (to whom Vedder dedicated Blood) and Diane Lane, they embraced old and new.
During the elderly Even Flow, Mike McCready's guitar solo lasted so long Vedder had time to smoke a cigarette. They are Pearl Jam; they are above the law.
The new material sizzled too, particularly the fierce Got Some and, on its live debut, Supersonic.
Along the way, they paid homage to O2 no-show Michael Jackson with a burst of Ben before Rats (Ben being a rat in Jackson's song) and snuck in rarities such as I Got ID.
Ultimately though, this was that rarest of exchanges: a band and their audience in perfect harmony, literally during the singalong that was Alive.
"After tonight, we won't be in Europe for some time," explained Vedder. They're welcome back any time.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
To Tom from Ashford in response to my comment, perhaps you should read my comment again. I did not call 'Animal' etc. obscurities, I called them fun, there was a full stop after my sentence on the obscurities. The 5 minutes of 2 chord indulgence at the end of 'Crazy Mary' was totally boring and beneath PJ's abilities. For your information I've been into Pearl Jam since '91 when I saw them in Los Angeles, and maybe I am the only one in 20,000 to be less than overwhelmed but after 19 PJ concerts I think I am entitled to express my view that the O2 show was far from their best. I find it funny that you fail to respond to any of my other points and just try to insult my hearing ability, I'm a sound engineer by trade and the O2 is notorious for it's poor acoustics. Finally, I didn't pay for the ticket for your information and I stand by my initial response that Reading 2006 was far superior and worth every penny that I didn't pay for that show either!
- Jay, Richmond, UK
I fail to understand how any one who witnessed this gig managed to come away disappointed! They were on top form and the set list was fantastic, Rats and Release were tracks i'd given up hope of ever seeing live. There was an emotive atmosphere at this gig I've never experienced before. At either a PJ gig or any other, how you'd manage to be there and miss that is beyond my understanding...
- Adrian, London
I just need to say to Jay from Richmond that you must have been the only person among the 20 thousand to not enjoy that show. The sound was brilliant so it must have been your hearing and as far as the setlist goes i doubt it could have got any better, in no way are Animal and Whipping obscurities, they feature often in pearl jam live sets. I thought there were quite a lot of as you say balls out rock, in particular 'Blood' ' why go' and 'evolution'. Its a shame you went to see a band you seem not to like.
- Tom, Ashford
I thought the sound was terrible where I was in the pit about 25 rows from the front. Couldn't hear a note of lead guitar until about seven songs in. Thought Pearl Jam would offer us more in the way of quality support bands and special guests (members of The Who maybe?) for the price of admission. Not the best choice of songs either, not enough balls out rock like 'Go', 'Rearviewmirror', 'Deep' etc. In my opinion their set at Reading 2006 was way better than this. Not a fan of the new songs and the obscurities they did play. 'Rats', 'Leaving Here', 'Animal' and 'Whipping' were fun but overall I thought it was a disappointing show. They are turning into an E-Street Band bore-a-thon with all the wistful ballads.
- Jay, Richmond, UK
Amazing performance, the 4th time i've seen them and probably the best, although Reading festival 06 was also brilliant. Eddie was in good form and his voice filled the o2 from the first note to the last.
Highlights for me were, 'release', 'rats', 'footsteps', and Porch. No other band comes close.
- Tom, Ashford
I am still awake, the finest concert I have ever attended.
When I got home I realised you could make an awesome concert or two with songs they left out of this show. The fact they played Footsteps made my day, but each song was better than the one that preceded it.
The fact that I was the only Brit in my immediate area as people had travelled from all over to attend is proof that Pearl Jam fans will travel across a continent to see their band and I too will now travel to the US to watch them play in the very near future.
- Matt, London, UK
Altough i've been listening to PJ from their early years, this was only my second PJ gig. I have to say it was the best concert i've ever seen and i've seen probably all big names in rock music. Thank you gentlemen and looking forward to next one.
- Dush, London
Only Pearl Jam can play 28 songs & such a diverse range from their catalouge of mind blowing moments. There has not been & no one in the near future anyone who will come close to them. They do it for their fans not the industry which they are glad not to be a part of & every Pearl Jam fan is so glad of that. Totally awesome.
- Michael, Coggeshall, Essex
Easily one of the best shows I've ever seen. Eddie was brlliant with the crowd. They created an unbelievable level of positive energy. Wecome back any time indeed!
- Jeremy, London
They were amazing. One of the best gigs I have ever been to and I didn't want it to end! So, so, so good.
- Alex, london
This was a truly great gig, lot's of crowd favourites, huge singalongs. The way the crowds fed the band and they gave just as much back was incredible, it will take a lot to see a better gig. Crazy Mary was a perfect live song, that and yellow ledbetter to finish was perfect. i didn't want it to end...
- Paul, Orpington
Very good performance. It was my first time and i feel i discovered a new world.
- Vicky, spain
