Seeing Eddie Vedder solo is very different from seeing him with Pearl Jam, and with the spotlight entirely on him it is clear that not only is he part of one of the best bands of all time, but he also has one of the best and most defining voices of our generation. His two sold out shows at Tower Theater featured a mix of Pearl Jam tunes, covers, and songs from 2007's Into the Wild soundtrack, but aside from the similar set lists each night was a very different and unique experience.
Starting out the night was opening act Liam Finn, who puts on an impressive live show. Finn played the instruments, recorded, engineered and produced everything on his 2007 album I'll Be Lightning, and in concert he bounces back and forth between guitars and drums with ease. Performing with Eliza Jane (EJ) Barnes, he played some new material and songs from I'll Be Lightning including "Wise Men," "Second Chance" and the album's title track.
Eddie Vedder took the stage at around 8:50 and opened with "Walking the Cow," a song by Daniel Johnston, followed by the start of Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage" leading into "Sometimes." He seemed to rush through the beginning of his set, playing "Around the Bend," "I Am Mine," "I'm Open" and "Man of the Hour" before stopping to talk to the crowd. It was later rumored that they were having sound problems and Vedder was upset about something (according to hardcore fans, he plays faster when he's upset). He told the crowd he was getting used to the sound in the theater and that he'd never been to Upper Darby before, also mentioning that he wasn't sure if he and his band would have a chance to play the Spectrum again. He has always been vocal about his appreciation for the Philly venue and its history when Pearl Jam plays there, so hopefully this was a hint that they'll come back and play one last show there.
Next came some songs from Into the Wild including "Far Behind," "No Ceiling," "Rise" and "Guaranteed," during which he forgot the lyrics and started to sing the same verse twice. His mood seemed to have lightened and he joked around and started singing, "there was something in the air that night..." from the ABBA song "Fernando," before going into "Drifting." Next was the Beatles cover "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," and then he ripped into The Who's "The Kids are Alright," followed by "Last Kiss" and another cover, "Atlantic City," which drew cheers and "Bruuuuuce" chants from the crowd. He closed the main set with the up-tempo Pearl Jam songs "Lukin" and "Porch," which had the crowd on their feet.
The break before the encore was brief, and Vedder came back out with Liam Finn to play "Society" and then the two traded verses on "Throw Your Arms Around Me," a beautiful song by an Australian band called Hunters & Collectors that has also been covered by Neil Finn (Liam's father) with the band Crowded House. Finn then left the stage and in a touching moment, Vedder dedicated the next song, Bob Dylan's "Forever Young," to his daughter who was turning five that day. Next was "Arc," in which he uses different microphones and tape loops to fill the theater with his voice, creating a beautiful sound. He was then joined by Liam Finn and EJ for the final song of the night, "Hard Sun," which had the audience rushing to the front of the theater.
Setlist: Walking the Cow, Brain Damage (intro), Sometimes, Around the Bend, I Am Mine, I'm Open, Man of the Hour, Far Behind, No Ceiling, Guaranteed, Rise, Drifting, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, The Kids Are Alright, Last Kiss, Atlantic City, Lukin, Porch; Encore: Society, Throw Your Arms Around Me, Forever Young, Arc, Hard Sun
http://www.examiner.com/x-12340-Philade ... ne-11-2009
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