Pearl Jam 5.15.10 - XL Center Hartford, CT

A combination of 1980’s hockey rink acoustics (former home of the Whalers) and a serious level of fandom for Pearl Jam’s May 15th concert made it one of the loudest and most electric shows that I ever attended in my life. Pearl Jam was thrilled by the reception from the crowd and displayed it in rocking two hours of intense and stellar set list.

The night opened with “Unthought Known” from Back Spacer and then fired right into an electric version of “Corduroy” that got the whole arena warming up their voicals! On “Even Flow” Mike McCready showed of his blues/grunge guitar craft. During “Jeremy” the crowd accompanied Eddie Veder through every word and starred on the vocal solo section at the end of the song. The biggest surprise of the night was hearing a freaking awesome cover of Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”. “Crazy Mary” was a treat as Stone Gossard led Vedder with his acoustic guitar and helped filled the arena with lighters. The night ended with an emotional and energetic version “All Along the Watch Tower!”

In addition the set list featured much of the new album Back Spacer. Those songs included “Amongst the Waves”, “Got Some”, “Johnny Guitar”, “Speed of Sound” and of course their singles “The Fixer” and “Just Breathe.”

Guests on stage included the Connecticut artist (Don Perkins) whom created the Back Spacer album artwork and Ben Bridwell from the opening act Band of Horses for a stirring rendition of “All Along the Watch Tower.”


Set List:
Unthought Known
Corduroy
Do the Evolution
Got Some
Severed Hand
Dissident
Low Light
Amongst the Waves
Even Flow
Nothingman
Johnny Guitar
I Got Id
Jeremy
Daughter
Satan’s Bed
Lukin’
Gonna See My Friend
Just Breathe
Speed of Sound
State of Love Trust
Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love
Porch
The Fixer
Crazy Mary
Alive
Indifference
All Along the Watchtower