Twenty years is a long time to be doing just about anything. After nine studio albums, a countless number of live concert releases and a handful of drummers, Pearl Jam celebrated 20 years together in style. On a Labor Day weekend replete with friends, family and scores of their closest fans from all four corners of the globe, the band was part of a special two-night event at the Alpine Valley Amphitheatre in East Troy, Wis.
In what was promised to pay homage to the band, their music and their fans, PJ20 was everything anyone could have hoped it would be and arguably more.
Though the location for PJ20 might have seemed out of place, it served just as good as any excuse to get out of the house. For those who were in the neighborhood, it was the perfect backyard jam session.
Even with almost 2,000 miles of earth between Seattle, Wash. and East Troy, Wis., the same clouds and rain were more than present all throughout day one.
Despite the rain, the set was brilliantly opened with “Release” from the band’s infamous debut album “Ten.” Next up, a cover of “Arms Aloft” by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros picked up the tempo perfectly before rolling into Pearl Jam’s “Do the Evolution” from the often-overlooked album “Yield.”
In fact, the often-forgotten albums “No Code” and “Yield” were represented nicely with plays of “In My Tree,” “Faithful,” “Who You Are” and “Push Me, Pull Me,” a song rumored to have been inspired by an airplane seatback tray.
The lead singers from both opening acts The Strokes and Queens of the Stone Age made appearances during the first night. Julian Casablancas sang alongside Eddie Vedder for “Not For You” and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age crooned through “In the Moonlight,” a Pearl Jam B-side.
Speaking of guest appearances, where Soundgarden as a whole was rumored as a possibility, the band’s lead singer Chris Cornell was more than graciously welcomed by those in attendance. Both nights he led the band with four-track sets hailing back to the days of Temple of the Dog and Mother Love Bone. As he performed throughout the weekend, Cornell proved that he still has his incredible set of pipes that can chill you to the bone.
Where the first night was a bit more laid-back by comparison, day two came with the purpose of knocking more than just your socks off.
The rain had passed in the night, though the clouds remained, adding to the beautiful landscape as Pearl Jam opened with “Wash.” Originally a B-side to “Ten,” the song remains a fan favorite. Following right behind were more recent tracks in the band’s catalog with “The Fixer” and “Severed Hand” before digging up an older tune in “All Night.”
Before going into the three encore sets, “Pilate,” a track written by bassist Jeff Ament, “Habit,” featuring an unforgettable appearance by Liam Finn, and “Red Mosquito,” again featuring Julian Casablancas, all made their way through the speakers. Following suit was the staple “Daughter,” which rolled right into the cover of Dead Moon’s “It’s OK,” sung in part by everyone in attendance.
In one of the second day’s encores, Vedder introduced a song written that very weekend. Though a title wasn’t given, the lyrics from the chorus, “Glad we made it / ‘Til when it all got good,” seem as good a working title as any.
Though guitarist Stone Gossard was hesitant in it being played, the deeply resonating rift of “No Way” left the crowd completely transformed. Then, two songs later, Glen Hansard mastered “Smile.”
Though there was plenty of songs left in the band's repertoire, the crowd's energy slowly began to deplete by the end of the second night. Sending away the restless crowd away with ease came “Yellow Ledbetter,” one of this generation’s anthems in many respects. Then, transitioning as only he can, guitarist Mike McCready took everyone on a spiraling trip through “The Star Spangled Banner.” The entire audience stood in shell-shocked awe as one of the most underappreciated guitarists delivered one of his greatest moments ever.
As quickly as these past 20 years have gone by, the show was over and the trails of taillights made their way back home. While many of the fans from the early years are nearing middle age and the rest aren’t far behind, the success of Pearl Jam proves that grunge is more than the passing trend it was laughed off to be. Generation X has grown up, and like a fine wine, they have only gotten better with time.
Echoed throughout each of the two nights was the theme that this was a weekend of celebration, camaraderie and to put it plainly, love. It was a great set of shows for a group of friends that has become one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Reach the reporter at jbfortne@asu.edu
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