For those who have seen Pearl Jam over the years, how did this recent tour match up to the past?

truckin24 · May 19

I saw 3 shows on the Dark Matter tour, and have missed Pearl Jam on tour for too long before that. For those who saw this tour, and the ones previous, how did the band sound in comparison? Were the shows the same as they were before? Some better, even some worse? The shows I saw were incredible, I can’t imagine them not being in their peak form still.

Go Animal · May 19

The '22-'25 shows are the best since '08-'10, IMO (I'd even say better).

Upgraded sound equipment, focus on quality over quantity, changing tunings to match Ed's vocal range... so many factors.

But ultimately, I think after 2020, the band just learned to have fun again.

nicknyr15 · May 19

The recent shows have been great for the reasons stated above but the unpredictability is mostly gone. They can pull one or two out but that’s it. I do miss that anything can happen on any given night feeling. Something like opening with alive, the Grand Rapids encore, and countless other examples are gone.

mcdevittpb · May 19

2009-2018 was the sweet spot. Shows averaged 3+ hours and 34-38 songs. A little more variety in those days too. This tour? 2 hours and 26 songs. Last night was awesome. Yes, they’re older now. Still killing it.

mace1229 · May 19

Go Animal said:

The '22-'25 shows are the best since '08-'10, IMO (I'd even say better).

Upgraded sound equipment, focus on quality over quantity, changing tunings to match Ed's vocal range... so many factors.

But ultimately, I think after 2020, the band just learned to have fun again.

To me, seeing them in 2009 is when it looked like they were having fun and not trying to be the anti rock star.
I didn't catch them this tour (saw them in 2022), so not really answering your question, but I agree with the 2009-2018 sweet spot (for post 90's).

DM282158 · May 19

I think the peak was 2013-2016. (Granted I started seeing them in 2006.) listening to bootlegs, nothing ever topped the angst and energy from 92-96. But overall, those 2013-2016 Lightning Bolt shows were nuts.

Saw one show on this leg and 2 in 2024, 1 in 2023, and another 2 in 2022. Fully agree how the band seems to be having so much fun and genuinely mean a lot to each other. That’s great to see as a long time fan.

But I think expectations need to be tampered. 2:05-2:30 length of shows. But I think we get more variety next tour. Can’t overlook the fact they’ve been promoting a new album. 10-15% of the show will be more diverse if they only play 2-3 Dark Matter songs instead of 6-7. And I love Dark Matter.

know1 · May 19

mcdevittpb said:

2009-2018 was the sweet spot. Shows averaged 3+ hours and 34-38 songs. A little more variety in those days too. This tour? 2 hours and 26 songs. Last night was awesome. Yes, they’re older now. Still killing it.

I agree with this. Post-covid, the shows have just not been nearly as good as everything before it. Sadly, I didn't even try to get tickets this tour for the first time in a long time.

cincybearcat · May 19

So I had such a blast at 3 shows and a good time at the 4th. I think the band sounded great and had great energy.

I am blessed to have seen them, but the few criticism I have:

1) 2 nights in the same city should have 0 repeats. You basically set the standard for the changing setlists, don't let Metallica out Pearl Jam you.
2) I loved hearing all the Dark Matter songs, happy with 5-6 a show...just wish they were mixed in differently and not almost always DM and Wreckage.
3) I love all their songs...but I got a bit tired of Porch finishing the 1st set and then knowing Alive, RITFW, Ledbetter or Alive, Baba, Indifference were going to end most shows and rotate. I have loved the unpredictability of the band and it seems that is wanning.
4) Can we not rotate some of the big hits from 10?

In reality those are all minor improvement (for me) suggestions. All in all it was a great tour.

ComeToTX · May 19

cincybearcat said:

So I had such a blast at 3 shows and a good time at the 4th. I think the band sounded great and had great energy.

I am blessed to have seen them, but the few criticism I have:

1) 2 nights in the same city should have 0 repeats. You basically set the standard for the changing setlists, don't let Metallica out Pearl Jam you.
2) I loved hearing all the Dark Matter songs, happy with 5-6 a show...just wish they were mixed in differently and not almost always DM and Wreckage.
3) I love all their songs...but I got a bit tired of Porch finishing the 1st set and then knowing Alive, RITFW, Ledbetter or Alive, Baba, Indifference were going to end most shows and rotate. I have loved the unpredictability of the band and it seems that is wanning.
4) Can we not rotate some of the big hits from 10?

In reality those are all minor improvement (for me) suggestions. All in all it was a great tour.

Agree with all of this. Being able to predict half the set before walking in is tough to get used to. They spoiled us for a long time.

SPEEDY MCCREADY · May 19

I absolutely loved Nashville II.
I LOVED a good amount of these setlists on this little tour.
I really don't need to hear Riot Act, Backspacer, Gigaton, Avocado, or Lightening Bolt. I never get sick of hearing anything off those 1st 5 albums. NEVER. Predictable setlists? I guess. But its everything I want to hear.

2-feign-reluctance · May 19

I’ll chime in when they come back to St.Louis and I’ll be fucking stoked to hear anything they play. I’d love to have the luxury some of you are communicating about same songs, etc. Comes off like my 7 year old saying ‘I’m bored’.

SPEEDY MCCREADY · May 19

2-feign-reluctance said:

I’ll chime in when they come back to St.Louis and I’ll be fucking stoked to hear anything they play. I’d love to have the luxury some of you are communicating about same songs, etc. Comes off like my 7 year old saying ‘I’m bored’.

Honestly
I was BUMMED I didn't get Jeremy at Nashville II. Haha
I want that played at every show I'm at. Along with all the Greatest Hits.
That's just me

pjl44 · May 19

2-feign-reluctance said:

I’ll chime in when they come back to St.Louis and I’ll be fucking stoked to hear anything they play. I’d love to have the luxury some of you are communicating about same songs, etc. Comes off like my 7 year old saying ‘I’m bored’.

"This band repeats too many songs to warrant attending multiple shows on a tour" is not a juvenile opinion. I've seen many shows over 25 years and that's a big factor in deciding whether to see a band more than one night.

I went to both Fenway shows last fall and would be good with one if the current set construction is the new standard.

kaw753 · May 19

In 2012, they went 3 1/2 hours and 35 songs in LA. One of you guys "scalped" me a GA ticket for less than I paid on this tour face value.

I went to 6 shows because I can, but I could use some more of the songs between Yield and Lightning Bolt. I realize they probably don't rehearse Inside Job, Gone, Force of Nature, and others, but they would be appreciated. At the very least, switch up the songs from Ten on back to backs (as others have mentioned).

JimmyV · May 19

I do miss hearing "this is one for the serious collector."

pjl44 · May 19

It's pretty crazy when you break down the 21st century albums minus Dark Matter:

There are 6 albums: Binaural, Riot Act, Avocado, Backspacer, Lightning Bolt, Gigaton

6 shows on this leg you got exactly 2 songs total from these albums. (This is even including b-sides from the era like Down.)

2 shows were fewer: 1 at Jazzfest, 0 at Atlanta 2

3 shows were more: 4 at Raleigh 1, 5 at Atlanta 1, 6 at Pittsburgh 1

Whether or not it's deliberate, they're catering to more casual fans. Hit you with the new album and material from the 90s. I very much miss the days where everything was in play.

southerngarden · May 20

Saw em in 96,98,00,03,06,08,12,16,25

Honolulu 2006 is still one of the best shows of ANY band I’ve ever seen live, ever. Not sure how long it was exactly, but I think it was the longest show I’ve seen, 32 songs and LOTS of amazing highlights. (The brudda IZ was absolute MAGIC!) I’ve never seen a crowd that pumped except for at the early 96 and 98 shows…but I was young and in the sweaty pit for those shows.

Hollywood this tour was nice bc the venue was MUCH smaller than typical places they play these days. I’d be VERY happy to see them play ther again. Hopefully we don’t have to wait another 9 years before they return to Florida.

PinoyPJ · May 20

only Atlanta shows for me on this run.... always fun going to church!!!

Weston1283 · May 20

It’s different in some ways, but the same in others

From 2013-2018, they were playing 30+ songs per night and the variety of songs was significantly more than 2022-2025.

From 2013-2018, on any given night, you might get a full album show, or the next Grand Rapids, Moline, or Greenville night. Those “nights” will never happen again, so that element of surprise is gone.

It is same in the way that the band still brings energy to the stage and seems like they mostly enjoy playing, so that’s a positive

Daron Oshay · May 20

While I was very against it at first I have say the shorter sets have made a huge difference. Playing 6 or more songs less I think has translated into playing the 24 or so songs better. Especially when they pull out rarities.

I also should say that I don’t know I could last another 5 or 6 songs on multiple nights anymore haha

weremin23 · May 20

Probably my least favorite (24-25) of any period seeing them (since 06). Not sure 13-14 period will ever be topped for me but 2023 run was so much fun. Anything was on the table.

While I get the message of this tour and the choreography that went with it it was far too predictable. Really hope we are back to full arena configuration next time and no album to promote,

nicknyr15 · May 20

I can’t stand the screen. I miss seeing them completely surrounded by fans.

pdalowsky · May 20

They sounded incredible on the DM tour, and as many others have said the band seemed to be enjoying it more than ever.

Definitely got me excited to see them again, and mega eager for the next batch of dates

Spiritual_Chaos · May 20

truckin24 said:

I saw 3 shows on the Dark Matter tour, and have missed Pearl Jam on tour for too long before that. For those who saw this tour, and the ones previous, how did the band sound in comparison? Were the shows the same as they were before? Some better, even some worse? The shows I saw were incredible, I can’t imagine them not being in their peak form still.

You have to always be in the... present tense

No way is Eddie not struggling more with the vocals, now than back in e.g. 2007. Which also affects the setlist choices.

But as long as the band aren't standing up there doing it for an easy paycheck, that doesn't matter. Because you can't rewind time and the effort and ideal is what matters IMO. And, while I loved the 2018 shows I (for some reason) do not need Pearl jam to play for 3+ hours and I also enjoy the idea of an opening band (even though they are more hit and miss for me).

But one thing I think made it better before 2023, was not having the "pointless" screen. I'm cool with PJ experimenting - whether that means green lasers like in 2006, playing in The Hives-esque costumes to support a Rock opera or doing screens for a tour. But not a fan of them adding a "show" to the rocknroll like e.g. Guns n Roses, KISS, Metallica (and even Bruce Springsteen).

Also, it's a tad sad to see the spontaneity disappear a bit with the rigid backbone of songs staying the same even with loosing an hour of playtime. So you just get less "fun stuff". And I am saying that as a non-rare song chaser.

And personally, for me it is tough to top the 2007 tour. Touring Backspacer or Lightning Bolt or Gigaton doesn't beat that short second tour one step removed from Avocado but still with enough of those great songs in the setlist. Every Pearl jam song should have World Wide Suicide on the setlist.

And objectively, from when they became an established Arena act I think the Canadian 2005 tour has been the best. Or maybe the 2003 tour.

Merkin Baller · May 20

I can't speak for the very early days, or '03 - 06, but I caught them in '98, twice in '00, once in '08 & a couple dozen times since 2010. Most shows I saw from 2010 - 2016 were bangers... probably at least 80%. The 2018 Fenway shows and 2023 St Paul shows were great (no such thing as a bad PJ show), but 2024 felt different. I think the Dark Matter songs energized them and they seemed to be having a blast these last 12 months. (Did anyone else notice how animated Stone has been w/ the new material? Especially React Respond, he really seems to enjoy playing that)

While the "An Evening With Pearl Jam" era will always be the gold standard for me (or at least 2013-2016), I will say Philly 1 last year is tied for my favorite show with Hartford '13 and that Nashville 1 set this year is also a top 10 for me.

I agree w/ others as far as predictability goes...and to Cincy's point, I wish there were fewer repeats between the two shows, but I'm also of the mindset that they're on the back 9 here, so I'll take what I can get. (an opinion I'm sure most of us share)

I took a long path to a short answer... the new material seems to have energized the band, and they really seemed to enjoy playing it live. Many have said it already, but it bears repeating... it's a damn shame this is it for the DM tour considering what great form the band is in.

I can't say the DM era will have been their greatest, but it will certainly go down as a bright spot in their history, at least as far as I'm concerned.

pjl44 · May 20

Spiritual_Chaos said:

truckin24 said:

I saw 3 shows on the Dark Matter tour, and have missed Pearl Jam on tour for too long before that. For those who saw this tour, and the ones previous, how did the band sound in comparison? Were the shows the same as they were before? Some better, even some worse? The shows I saw were incredible, I can’t imagine them not being in their peak form still.

You have to always be in the... present tense

No way is Eddie not struggling more with the vocals, now than back in e.g. 2007. Which also affects the setlist choices.

But as long as the band aren't standing up there doing it for an easy paycheck, that doesn't matter. Because you can't rewind time and the effort and ideal is what matters IMO. And, while I loved the 2018 shows I (for some reason) do not need Pearl jam to play for 3+ hours and I also enjoy the idea of an opening band (even though they are more hit and miss for me).

But one thing I think made it better before 2023, was not having the "pointless" screen. I'm cool with PJ experimenting - whether that means green lasers like in 2006, playing in The Hives-esque costumes to support a Rock opera or doing screens for a tour. But not a fan of them adding a "show" to the rocknroll like e.g. Guns n Roses, KISS, Metallica (and even Bruce Springsteen).

Also, it's a tad sad to see the spontaneity disappear a bit with the rigid backbone of songs staying the same even with loosing an hour of playtime. So you just get less "fun stuff". And I am saying that as a non-rare song chaser.

And personally, for me it is tough to top the 2007 tour. Touring Backspacer or Lightning Bolt or Gigaton doesn't beat that short second tour one step removed from Avocado but still with enough of those great songs in the setlist. Every Pearl jam song should have World Wide Suicide on the setlist.

And objectively, from when they became an established Arena act I think the Canadian 2005 tour has been the best. Or maybe the 2003 tour.

The performances have remained great for long, long after but I agree with you that 2003-2006 was the peak. Big tours so you could catch them in cities both medium and large. Ten Club tickets mostly an easy score. Any song was in play any given night. Killer openers. Ed coming out before the opener. Modest ticket prices. I've been seeing them consistently since '96 and I'd put that period up against any other band in the last 30 years.

Gern Blansten · May 20

each show is better than the last in my opinion....been saying that for 5-6 years now. They are dialed in

cincybearcat · May 20

Merkin Baller said:

I can't speak for the very early days, or '03 - 06, but I caught them in '98, twice in '00, once in '08 & a couple dozen times since 2010. Most shows I saw from 2010 - 2016 were bangers... probably at least 80%. The 2018 Fenway shows and 2023 St Paul shows were great (no such thing as a bad PJ show), but 2024 felt different. I think the Dark Matter songs energized them and they seemed to be having a blast these last 12 months. (Did anyone else notice how animated Stone has been w/ the new material? Especially React Respond, he really seems to enjoy playing that)

While the "An Evening With Pearl Jam" era will always be the gold standard for me (or at least 2013-2016), I will say Philly 1 last year is tied for my favorite show with Hartford '13 and that Nashville 1 set this year is also a top 10 for me.

I agree w/ others as far as predictability goes...and to Cincy's point, I wish there were fewer repeats between the two shows, but I'm also of the mindset that they're on the back 9 here, so I'll take what I can get. (an opinion I'm sure most of us share)

I took a long path to a short answer... the new material seems to have energized the band, and they really seemed to enjoy playing it live. Many have said it already, but it bears repeating... it's a damn shame this is it for the DM tour considering what great form the band is in.

I can't say the DM era will have been their greatest, but it will certainly go down as a bright spot in their history, at least as far as I'm concerned.

I like your take.

And yes it's definitely not all about setlists. I definitely enjoyed Raleigh 1 and Nashville 1 as much as many and more than most of my Pearl Jam concerts.

Abe Froman · May 20

They are still great but it is not the same. I went to Indy last year and it was by far my most disappointing PJ experience in over 30 shows dating back to ‘93. For me the setlists do have a lot to do with. It’s a formula now. Rotate a bunch of hits, 5-6 DM, a bunch of Ten and then sprinkle in a couple more lesser played songs. It just doesn’t have that “anything is on the table” tonight feeling anymore. Which is obviously fine. They still sound great and put on a great show but this is the first tour I literally had zero FOMO about not going. I definitely don’t feel like I need to travel or see multiple shows now. First time I didn’t even think about trying for Wrigley and I’ve been to every stop there so far. If they play two shows in one city there is no fucking way they need to play any repeats. Play 5 DM one night and the other 5 the next. Plenty of hits to change each night. Whether intended or not they are catering more to the casual fan and nostalgia side of things.

CantKeepmedown · May 20

Nothing will top the 2010-2018 run for me just due to how many songs they were playing each night as well as the variance. But there was no way they could keep that up, covid or no covid. The fact they did it as long as they did is a testament to them. And the downshift is probably the reason they will keep touring into the near future.

I don't think any of the 5 post covid shows I saw would crack my top 5 but that's OK. I still saw shows with my kids for the first time and had an absolute blast at all 5 of them. Memories forever.

The DM tour was great and agree with others how much fun the band seemed to be having. But nearly half the set being DM and Ten songs and the encores all being fairly similar do take away some of that "I wonder what they'll break out tonight" that you had during the Backspacer/LB era. I really wish they wouldn't ignore most of Binaural, Riot Act, and Avocado. But they seem to have found a formula that works for them and I think a majority of the audience, if not all, leaves pretty happy each night.

I'll never stop seeing them as long as they are touring. And they are the only band I'll pay the amount that they are charging.

Abe Froman · May 20

They are ignoring almost 6 albums entirely. I agree about missing when anything was in played . pjl44 said:

It's pretty crazy when you break down the 21st century albums minus Dark Matter:

There are 6 albums: Binaural, Riot Act, Avocado, Backspacer, Lightning Bolt, Gigaton

6 shows on this leg you got exactly 2 songs total from these albums. (This is even including b-sides from the era like Down.)

2 shows were fewer: 1 at Jazzfest, 0 at Atlanta 2

3 shows were more: 4 at Raleigh 1, 5 at Atlanta 1, 6 at Pittsburgh 1

Whether or not it's deliberate, they're catering to more casual fans. Hit you with the new album and material from the 90s. I very much miss the days where everything was in play.

For those who have seen Pearl Jam over the years, how did this recent tour match up to the past?

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