They’re Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and one of the most iconic and enduring bands in the history of modern music.
Author Henrik Tuxen and Audacy's Andy Limberg talk Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam begins a tour of the southeast United States (and Pittsburgh) on April 24 and 26 in Hollywood, Florida and wrap it up on May 16 and 18 in The Steel City.
In between, they’ll make two-date stops in Atlanta, Nashville and Raleigh, as well as performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 3.
It’s the latest tour in support of their 12th studio album “Dark Matter”, released a year ago on April 19, 2024.
For nearly 35 years, Pearl Jam has delighted millions of fans with their music, but the group also represents so much more.
Charitable work, supporting causes close to their hearts, standing up for injustice in the world and taking a political stand are just a few of the things that make Pearl Jam the well-rounded organization it has evolved into.
With all that in mind, what can you expect when you see a Pearl Jam show in 2025?
Musician, author, journalist Henrik Tuxen first met Pearl Jam in 1996 while a member of the band “Sharing Patrol”.
The producer of his record was a member of the band “The Fastbacks” which opened for PJ in Europe that year.
Tuxen got to meet lead singer Eddie Vedder and the band, spending time over a few days with them and nearly 30 years later, he’s been to 30 shows, from Hawaii to South America, Berlin and beyond.
While Vedder isn’t swinging from the rafters and acting like a daredevil on stage like he did in 1992, (the band members are close to 60 or older), they still put on a hell of a show.
Tuxen says most live rock bands have a maximum of six gears, but Pearl Jam has a seventh.
“They play as a unit, they can really play as a band,” Tuxen says. “They have this extra power and then they have the playfulness.”
One of the things that makes Pearl Jam such an iconic live band is that they never play the same set list twice. If you’re heading to two of their concerts this spring, you’re going to see two different shows.
“I have seen 30 shows and there’s definitely something absolutely unique and interesting about every show,” said Tuxen.
But for Tuxen, it was a tragic event at a music festival in Denmark that would forever connect him to Pearl Jam.
On June 30, 2000 Pearl Jam “lost nine friends we’ll never know” when a crowd surge caused the deaths of nine people at Roskilde.
PJ was on the stage and Tuxen was watching from the wings when the tragedy occurred.
What happened over the next several years following the accident became “The More You Need – The Less You Get”.
Tuxen would help Vedder connect with the family members of some of the victims and then a few years later, got heavily involved after guitarist Stone Gossard reached out to him to help facilitate connecting with the victim’s families and accompanied Gossard during some of his visits in Scandinavia.
What Tuxen saw in the aftermath of a horrible tragedy was newly formed friendships, healing and a deeper appreciation for humanity and the human condition. “I think that’s really the core of the story,” said Tuxen.
“The More You Need – The Less You Get” isn’t necessarily a biography of Pearl Jam, but more of a story of loss and tragedy and the work that the survivors, families and band put in to heal, while forming new friendships and lasting bond.
While it might not be a biography of the band, you will learn a lot more about what makes Pearl Jam truly special.
Get the book HERE.
Pearl Jam 2025 U.S. Dates. Find tickets HERE
DATE CITY VENUE
April 24 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live
April 26 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live
April 29 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
May 1 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
May 6 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
May 8 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
May 11 Raleigh, NC Lenovo Center
May 13 Raleigh, NC Lenovo Center
May 16 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
May 18 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
*All dates are subject to change