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,

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

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