Pearl Jam a hit in Christchurch

BY VICKI ANDERSON
Last updated 05:00 30/11/2009
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Having sold over 60 million albums worldwide and poised to celebrate their 20th anniversary, the group possess an enviable back catalogue of hits.

But, it has to be said, it takes class to rock through 25 plus songs over more than two hours at a gig and have each set be superb and have new things to offer each time.

Last night they passionately ebbed and flowed their way through classics from early albums including the decade-defining Ten, classic covers and new favourites from their latest album, Backspacer.

The group also saved a few spectacular surprises for their last Kiwi show.

Earlier in the evening Liam Finn and guests (including Eddie Vedder) amply proved that history does repeat, offering up songs from Finn's debut I'll Be Lightning and their shared EP Champagne in Seashells.

Ben Harper and Relentless7 warmed the crowd with their mellow yet lively set which saw fans swaying happily and singing along.

Many Kiwi fans had made a long journey.

Thomas "Animal" White, 36, was thrilled Pearl Jam had included a South Island date.

"I've been working on Stewart Island for a few days and I had to get special time off to make it here and I only just got here in time," White said.

"But I've been waiting for this since I was an unhappy 16-year-old boy doing air guitar in my bedroom."

West Coaster Bethany Smart, 26, said she was only familiar with a couple of Pearl Jam albums. She claimed to be very much in love with Eddie Vedder.

"I love that he is so passionate about life and music, there's something animalistic and raw about him and his songs."

* Were you at the show? Post your comments below.

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- © Fairfax NZ News

113 comments
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Erwin & Liesbeth   #113   09:20 am Dec 16 2009

Absolutely brilliant. Before we our travels to NZ we already booked online from Holland. Man, was it worth it ! Even though the weather didn't play along. The 30 T (well most of em anyway :) ) did though ! One of the best concerts we've seen for a long time. Indeed EV and the guys performed great. Not to mention Liam and Ben of course. Saw PJ approx. 5 years ago in the Gelredome in Arnhem with Wolfmother as support which was great, but their gig here in ChCh was out of this world !!

Chris in Winnipeg   #112   05:45 am Dec 05 2009

Hey Untitled

Nicely done

doggedy   #111   05:52 pm Dec 04 2009

best concert,complete performances,totally there and utterly engaged with all us mere mortals,goosebumpy welling tears of ecstacy all concert and lasted this whole week,keeps on giving! dreamin this one till the next.

Lani   #110   07:52 am Dec 04 2009

Easily the best concert I've ever been to. I was so emotional afterwards that I could have killed anyone who told me that Pearl Jam were crap. It was that good. I've never seen anyone who engages an audience the way Vedder does. It felt like he was getting personal with 30000 grunge rockers. He was just beautiful. Stoked when they played Garden. Extra stoked we got Jeremy when Auckland apparently didn't. The joint rendition of Better be home soon was GOOD TIMES and Neil Young's "Rockin in the Free world"... also good times. Ben was pretty much the man and Liam had some surprising energy that got us all pumping before the big hit. Also loved how the artists engaged with each other. Just an amazing concert experience. The best I've ever had. Almost cried when Yellow Ledbetter was played haha

AYLA   #109   08:43 pm Dec 03 2009

such an awsome amazing night, pearl jam is great. also well done chch its not very often i go to a concert and not see one fight the whole night :)

Maestro   #108   08:26 pm Dec 03 2009

Speechless...PJ were stunning...we were in the stands and on our feet rocking for the whole 2.5 hours. With so many great songs how could they possibly play them all. Just hope they return!!!!

razz   #107   07:48 pm Dec 03 2009

auckland they did, chch they didn't.

Self-Titled   #106   09:23 am Dec 03 2009

No razz you clearly don't know the lyrics - they didn't play Daughter in Chch. Go to www.pearljam.com/tour/show/ami-stadium-nov-29-2009 you can't get a much more reliable source than that.

razz   #105   06:07 pm Dec 02 2009

um, they did so play daughter, i was there, not sure if the young ones know the song?

Jen   #104   03:03 pm Dec 02 2009

WOW!!!!! Their performance in Christchurch took my breath away. I have not been able to find words to describe the experience except it literally was the best night of my life. To be left at the end with tears in my eyes not wanting to believe it was over. Pearl Jam have really set the standards high and after 20 years and still climbing the ladder they will never be forgotten.


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