Concert Review: Pearl Jam @ The Gorge Amphitheatre, Sept. 1, 2005

One of the most memorable moments from Pearl Jam’s recent North American tour opener at Washington’s Gorge Amphitheatre was Eddie Vedder’s botched attempt at the Tom Petty song “Won’t Back Down” during the second encore. Despite starting in the wrong key, forgetting the words and neglecting to change guitar chords, Vedder soldiered on, propelled by the sentiment of the song—which he’d dedicated to anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan—and the overflowing love of the 22,000 people gathered before him, cheering their unwavering support.

The song might as well have been dedicated to the band itself. It’s a fitting theme for Pearl Jam, who, despite the total extinction of the Seattle-grunge/alternative rock boom that they came from and helped create, are still here. They’re still doing what they do with unabashed disregard for anything but their own, unique rock 'n’ roll ethic. This is a band that sold official bootleg CDs of every show on their last two tours—subverting their (former) record company; a band that offers truly great seats to every member of their low-priced fan club—subverting their one-time courtroom opponent Ticketmaster; a band that donates concert proceeds to environmental groups in proportion to the amount of pollution put out by the trucks and busses that get them there. They still wear thrift-store clothes, they still refuse to make music videos, they still release good (but not groundbreaking) records, and they still sell out large venues wherever they go. The thing that enables them to do all that and remain one of the biggest bands in the world is that when these guys are on, like they were for three-plus hours at the Gorge, they still put on one incredible, unforgettable rock show.

Absent an opening band, this “Evening with Pearl Jam” began with a semi-acoustic set just as the sun was setting over the Columbia River Gorge that formed the breathtaking backdrop for the stage. Seated on stools, with guitarist Stone Gossard on an acoustic and Jeff Ament plucking a stand-up bass, the band played through downbeat favorites like “Crazy Mary” and “Black” plus relative rarities like “Hard to Imagine” (from their 2004 Lost Dogs collection) and the Ramones’ “I Believe in Miracles.” The oft-requested-but-rarely-played “Low Light” appropriately accompanied the sunset’s afterglow, indelibly marking this a very special night even by Pearl Jam standards.

Things really got going during the main set, performed with full power. Mercifully sparing us the long string of angry, unmelodic newer songs that bogged down the shows on their last tour, Pearl Jam unleashed its pent-up fury on a string of '90s classics like “Corduroy,” “Given to Fly” and “Not for You.” “Do the Evolution” had Vedder screaming and howling as he shook his mike stand in a clenched fist, while “Even Flow” included a long breakdown to showcase the electrifying skills of lead guitarist Mike McCready, who’s ability to solo behind his head did not go unrecognized. “In My Tree” thundered thanks to the furious drumming of Matt Cameron, a man whose tireless intensity is the fuel that keeps this band alight onstage. “State of Love and Trust" (from the Singles soundtrack) and a mass sing-along to Ten mega-hit “Alive” recalled grunge’s glory days, while Vedder’s precarious foray past the speakers on the edge of the stage hinted at his former scaffold-climbing, early-'90s antics.

More hits (“Betterman,” “Last Kiss”), obscure treats (Mother Love Bone’s “Crown of Thorns”) and classic covers (The Who’s “Baba O’Riley”) rounded out the three encores. The only thing missing was a taste of any of the new material they are working on for their next album, set to come out in early 2006. But after a show this generous, this rich in passion and visceral thrills, Pearl Jam certainly left no one in want, while leaving everyone wanting more.