Pearl Jam

Paul Mercs Concerts presents… Pearl Jam with openers Mudhoney to perform at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB on September 17, 2011.

Rock legends Pearl Jam are currently on their 20th anniversary tour. This tour is not something you want to miss. Along with the tour, they produced a film looking back at the past 20 years, soon to be out on DVD. As well a soundtrack to that film that can be found at amazonHERE, and a 20th anniversary book which can be found here: HERE. If you are a fan of Pearl Jam, I highly recommend getting both these items.

Opening for Pearl Jam on the tour, were another Seattle band, Mudhoney. Mudhoney falls under the alternative-rock genre, however in my opinion was quite heavy compared to Pearl Jam. Every member in the band gave it all they had, playing just over a 45 minute set.

Frontman Eddie Vedder and the band were set to arrive at 8:45 PM however came out fashionably late by about 10 minutes. This did not seem to faze anyone. Getting into the tunes right away, starting off with ‘Why Go’, they played 3 songs straight before Vedder introduced them by exclaiming “All right, live from Winnipeg, It’s Saturday Night”.

A unique aspect about the band, is that they tailor their setlist distinctly to each city and venue they play at. It is very rare to see a similar set list from one city to another. In saying that, it wasn’t long into the show, before they played what claimed to be their Canadian Free Style. Making up words as they go, Vedder stated that he wished he was Canadian, due to a variety of facts including, “..better choices of Presidents” and he can “…drink as much beer as he can’”. My response to that - fair enough.

Eddie Vedder, with a one of a kind voice, just finished touring on his own. He stated throughout the show how he was very grateful to be back with the band. The band consisted of different instruments throughout the show, including a stand up bass, an electric bass, drum kit, lead electric guitars, acoustic guitars, pianos, keyboards, and synthesizers.

A sold out crowd of 12,200 filled up MTS Centre, and continued to shake the building to the beat of the songs, as virtually every member of the audience was on their feet. The backdrop mocked a giant wall of speakers, and lights shone on it to produce what looked like animations on the domino-layed speakers.

Vedder, being the generous guy that he is, brought out bottles and bottles of wine and shared them with the front rows. Throughout the show they also threw out what looked like 100′s of guitar picks, as well as half of a dozen tambourines.

Playing songs all from the past 20 years, they played their classics, as well as newer tunes such as ‘Ole’ near the end of their set. Playing an hour and a half set, most people heard what they wanted to hear, however an encore obviously followed.

With the crowd chanting “Peal Jam, Pearl Jam”, the crew came out, with guitarist Mike McCready brining out a double neck guitar. It wasn’t long before they congratulated the city on the arrival of their new NHL team, in which the crowd went from chanting “Pearl Jam”, to “Go Jets Go, Go Jets Go”. Vedder chanted along and played a tune on his guitar to match. It was a great time.

Throughout the encore the band was very interactive with the crowd. Playing a brief tribute to Eddie Van Halen with the intro of Jump, and standing on the barricade in front of the front row, everyone was in a natural concert-high. The encore lasted for another half hour, playing around 6 complete songs.

At this point 2 hours of Pearl Jam was still not enough, and had the crowd continuing to chant. Pearl Jam came out for yet another encore. This time he brought members from Mudhoney to join them on stage, to dedicate the song to Eddie Vedders new nephew born the day before. A total of 7 of them on stage, rocking as hard as they could, before the members of Mudhoney left the stage, and Pearl Jam played a 6-7 minute tribute to Neil Young with ‘Rocking In The Free World’.

After yet another 30 minute, 5 song, encore, Pearl Jam left the stage, this time for good. It had been 6 years since Winnipeg last saw Pearl Jam, and it was made relevant that it was a long 6 years. A long 2.5 hour set, 27 songs later, Pearl Jam had proved after 20 years of hard work, they still have it. This concert must have been one of the best Winnipeg has seen in a long time, if not ever, and it will be great to see if anything will be able to match it. Well done Pearl Jam, well done.