Pearl Jam opened their brief summer US tour with the first of two shows at Seattle’s Safeco Field on August 8.
The band delivered a 33-song set that delivered tracks from throughout their career alongside covers of tunes by Neil Young (“Throw Your Hatred Down” and “Rockin’ In The Free World”), Little Steven ("I Am A Patriot"), The White Stripes (“We’re Going To Be Friends”), The Beatles (“Help” and “I’ve Got A Feeling”), Pink Floyd (“Comfortably Numb”) and a guest appearance by Seattle singer-songwriter Brandi Carlisle on her song “Again Today.”
Billed as “The Home Shows” with an effort to raise funds for local homelessness initiatives, Rolling Stone reports the pair of concerts have raised $11.5 million for the cause so far.
Opening with 1995’s “Long Road”, the theme of community ran throughout the evening, with Eddie Vedder revealing the inspiration behind one of their biggest hits, “Even Flow”, was an encounter with a homeless man almost thirty years ago.
“He just looked interesting,” Vedder told the crowd. “His name was Eddie, and he was a large African-American man. A Vietnam vet. We spent some time talking and we had some good moments. Other days, he wasn’t there, and I could see him fighting.”
Returning home for the road, the rocker reconnected with Eddie under the Alaskan Way Viaduct, “and that’s when I really lost him,” added Vedder. “And he never got to hear this song or know he was a part of it. The important thing to do is elevate the understanding and empathy toward our homelessness.”
Vedder gave a shout out to the influence of good teachers, asking the audience to raise a hand “if you had one teacher who changed your life” before launching into a cover of The White Stripes’ “We’re Going To Be Friends” that saw his two daughters dancing on stage with their own teachers.
The singer remains optimistic that The Home Shows series will have a lasting effect on the Seattle community
“It took a bit of focused effort, and so much was done in a very short time,” Vedder said. “We can solve this issue together. This city can prove to the rest of the nation that if it can happen here, it can happen anywhere.”
Pearl Jam will perform at Safeco Field again on August 10 before playing Missoula, MT’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium on August 13, two nights at Chicago’s Wrigley Field (Aug 18 & 20) and a pair at Boston’s Fenway Park (Sep 2 & 4).
See also:
VIDEO: Jack White joins Pearl Jam for Neil Young classic in Portugal
VIDEO: Pearl Jam deliver rare performance of KISS classic in Rome
Eddie Vedder single to be released with Chicago Cubs ticket package
Pearl Jam postpone London show after Eddie Vedder loses voice
Search Pearl Jam at hennemusic
