Pearl of a rock show
Vedder, mates a live treat for packed 'Dome

Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam perform for a full house of Calgary fans at Pengrowth Saddledome on Sunday.

Hard-core Pearl Jam fans have long raved about the ecstasy of the Seattle band's live shows. They're lauded far and wide for their multiple encores and the sort of rock catharsis that only the greats, such as Neil Young and The Who (Pearl Jam heroes), have been able to summon. It's good to report then, that Pearl Jam lived up to this tremendous potential live, Sunday at a sold-out Saddledome, in front of 17,500 fans.

Intense, focused, and deadly serious -- like they were putting on not a concert but an all-important rock summit -- the band, led by sombre frontman Eddie Vedder, launched into a mighty opening set, which included a blazing run through Corduroy; a savage stab at State of Love and Trust; a muscular version of the breakthrough hit Even Flow; and an impeccable take on the irresistible folk-rocker, Daughter, that had the entire crowd singing along with unbridled passion.

As for the frenzied Do The Evolution, it was nothing short of incredible with guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready grinding out the tune's insistent riff and drummer Matt Cameron attacking his kit like it was a wild animal he had to beat into submission.

As for Vedder -- who still looks every bit the rock star hunk he always hated being -- he was literally writhing at the microphone on this one, kicking and screaming like he was exorcising demons.

Meanwhile, on the emotional power ballad Black, still one of the most heartwrenching breakup songs in rock, the 'Dome lit up like a Christmas tree with thousands of lighters held high.

For this critic's taste, I'll take Pearl Jam live over the band's recent records any day. While they made three of the best albums of the 1990s (their first three), I've been tired of the band for years now. Vedder did his damnedest to suck the fun out of rock in the previous decade.

Preachy, holier-than-thou, politically correct; in his quest to the be anti-rock star -- the defining grunge-era pose -- Vedder turned Pearl Jam into a bitter bore on recent albums (partially redeemed by 2002's solid Riot Act).

In all honesty, I was skeptical going into this show. Many still see Pearl Jam as the band that saved rock.

I've seen them as a band that fell short of their potential -- of being a modern day The Who -- mostly because of Vedder's dour sense of self-importance.

Sunday's 'Dome gig renewed my love of the band. At press time, Vedder was leading thousands of fans, singing along with every word, on the poignant folk ballad Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town. It was a genuinely moving scene. One couldn't witness it and question Pearl Jam's continued power.

Opening for Pearl Jam were The Supersuckers, an interesting choice because, while Pearl Jam have sought to enlighten us over the years, the 'Suckers have kept things primal and dirty for the most part.

But there was no question, the Tuscon-bred band got the 'Dome crowd well primed for a killer rock 'n' roll show, serving up their cowpunk-metal in medium-rare slabs, which folks hungrily devoured.

"I know, we're in the way of the Pearl Jam experience," said the band's vocalist Eddie Spaghetti with typically twisted humour, inviting fans to punch him in the face later if they didn't like his group.

It's a safe bet his face went fist-free Sunday night because Pearl Jam fans were loving the 'Suckers.

hmccoy@theherald.canwest.com

Review

Pearl Jam performed a sold-out show Sunday at Pengrowth

Saddledome.

Attendance about 17,500.