Nearly 6 years from the successful #TheHomeShows (see pics) back in 2018 at T-Mobile Park, Pearl Jam returned to Seattle with a new great album, tour and other surprises for fans! Lots to talk and show here so let's start with why were even talking about Pearl Jam here with the latest album "Dark Matter". Released back on April 19, 2024 on Monkeywrench Records (Pearl Jam's independent label), the band returned back to a more rockin' energy form. I think fans will agree it's definitely in their top 3-5 of their 12 album catalog. My favorite hands down since "Ten" so if you're one of the older fans like me you'll be so surprised! My top 3 tracks, the bass driven rocker "React, Respond", the gloomy vibe title track "Dark Matter" and for sure the Ramones-like driving "Running".
Grammy Award winning producer Andrew Watt (Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Iggy Pop) definitely helped kick the band up in the energy notch with his youthful 33 year old energy. The band released cool visuals for each song on their YouTube channel. Check out "Dark Matter" I'm glad I did, and if ya know me that's a surprising statement. All versions of the release are available at Easy Street Records in West Seattle - the heart of local Seattle music support for decades!
So the band has a 3 day run in Seattle with 2 concerts at Climate Pledge Arena on May 28 and 30th and the day off in-between was a Ten Club Seattle Mariners event at T-Mobile Park last night, but before I talk about that lets talk about the 28th show day.
Show day May 28th was great. The day started off so (no pun intended ha) grungy with heavy dark clouds and pouring rain. Luckily by late afternoon the rain stopped and some blue skies appeared. Before attending the show, there was a great little get together spot for fans in the Seattle Center Armory to sign the 2018 Pearl Jam flag that flew atop the Space Needle in 2018 for the #HomeShows - organized by buddy and music-fan alike Jose Moreno. He's giving the flag back to the band which I think is gonna hang in the bands warehouse. Like to thank him from the fans and also helping me achieve a couple big shots of the signed flag. (remaining event pics here).
Reading some of the fan comments was amazing. Showing you the power of music and the lives it touches in some many different ways. Of all the comments, Jose pointed this one at me that still resonates with me as I write this. Last exit shows before leaving us...sad...
Now for the concert, before ya even got in it was Pearl Jam all around Climate Pledge Arena. From the billboards to the merch tents and even the amazing artist Ryan "Henry" Ward was painting some Pearl Jam pieces outside!
Now as for the show, I didn't have a review ticket, but got to photo the first three songs. Here's some highlight photos. Sorry not much visually as the Home Show was as the band kept it dark, no video screen content coolness just static for the openers "Release" and "Thin Air", but did add a little more light ironically on "Low Light".
Remaining photos can be seen on KISW HERE or even more at my photo page HERE. Hearing from fellow friends at the show the full setlist was: Release / Thin Air / Low Light / Given to Fly / Scared of Fear / React, Respond / Wreckage / I Am Mine / Even Flow / Dark Matter / Daughter / Upper Hand / Waiting for Stevie / Man of the Hour / Satan's Bed / Rearviewmirror / Encore: Just Breathe / River Cross / Running / Deep / Do the Evolution / Alive / All Along the Watchtower / Yellow Ledbetter / Setting Sun
The 2nd show at Climate Pledge Arena is happening tonight 5.30.24. Yesterday was a blast at the Seattle Mariners game where it was Pearl Jam Ten Club night for fans that bought tickets in certain blocked off sections. Each of those tickets included a free one time print Trident Mariners PJ shirt! Pretty good crowd for a cool rainy Wednesday night (roof was closed) as the Mariners beat the Astros 2-1 in (game couldn't of been written out any better) the TENth Club (10th) inning ha!!! Go 1st place Mariners!
So overall it was a pretty cool two days covering the in town excitement and events with all the Pearl Jam fans from around the world. For a few more Pearl Jam concert photos check out Stephanie's pics over at 107.7 The End page HERE.
Until next time, Keep Rockin' Tens! "Iron" Mike