Pearl JamÌýrock theÌýO2

The grunge veterans pay tribute to Michael Jackson

19 AugÌý2009Ìý-ÌýLong-time fans of 90s grungeÌýveterans, Pearl Jam, were out in force last night (August 18) to see the band conclude the European leg of their tour at London's O2 Arena.Ìý

From the outset, every lyric and nuance rang out as if it were 1991 all over again andÌýfans were seeing Pearl Jam at the time their debut, Ten, which propelled them into the hearts and minds of music lovers all over the world.

The tour was in aid of promoting their ninth offering, Backspacer - out 21 September - butÌýthe bandÌýplayed only a handful of well-received new tracks, including Supersonic and Got Some.

The record's first single, The Fixer,Ìýis already proving a favouriteÌýas a fair share of the audience sang along, nodding contentedly to its pop leanings.

However, the bulk of the extensive set list drew from their back catalogueÌýandÌýincluded Even Flow, Black, Why Go, Alive, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town andÌýLeave Now.

Fans were also treated to a cover of The Who's Love Reign O'er Me, which saw Eddie Vedder give Roger Daltrey's impassioned vocals a run for their money.

"They're still rocking after all these years and I'm so glad we came down." Sarah, Pearl Jam fan

Early on,ÌýVedder recalled their first ever London show, at the Borderline in 1992, where the set list was only eight songs long.

Fans were elated when he said they'd be playing for "much longer" than that, butÌýthey probably didn't expect the three hour-long extravaganza of mind-bending rock that ensued.

The band managed to grab the vast and sometimes soulless O2 Arena by its horns and actually make the venue seemÌý- dare I say itÌý- intimate.

Every inch was filled with the band’s radiating energy and onstage chemistry; a mix of furious guitar riffs, driving drums and Vedder's sublime baritone vocals and warm growls.

AfterÌýover 20 years in the industry,ÌýVedder showed no signs of slowing down, hanging off the microphone and rocking out in front of a fitting backdrop of waves.

Jacko tribute

After a false start, which he admitted messing up, he performed a mini solo of Michael Jackson's Ben.

He then launched head first into the first verse of Rats, off their 1993 sophomore album, Vs.

VedderÌýsaid that particular track was dedicated "to a man who was supposed to take to this stage and do what he did," alluding to Jackson's 50-date residency.

"Life is precious and none of it lasts long enough," choked the singer when he paid another tribute, to the late Jeff Johnson.

Pearl Jam once faced criticism from Kurt Cobain,Ìýof their early grunge rivals, Nirvana, for being commercial sellouts in the vein of "corporate" rock.

The O2, with its boxes along the central axis, could be seen as an ideal house for the latter but there was nothing "corporate" about this affair.

It was first class, full throttle, classic stadium rock that will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Fans' verdict

With 60 million albums sold, it's no surprise tickets for this show sold out in just 17 minutes and it seems fans went away extremely satisfied.

"We were in the rafters back at the top but the sound was absolutely amazing," said Paul to 6 Music after the show.

"It really felt like you were at a small gig, that you were right at the front, it was very intimate."

Sarah, whoÌýgot a ticket at the last minute, said: "I just love him [Eddie Vedder], he's amazing. They're still rocking after all these years and I'm so glad we came down."

"Not quite what you would expect from Pearl Jam, which was good," admitted Noel Murphy. "They played Rats, I never expected thatÌý- absolutely brilliant."

While Clare told us: "It was raw, it was tight, the best I've ever seen them play. They perform like they care, not because it's a job and that's the best thing."

Georgie Rogers