Pearl Jam MEN arena Aug 17,2009 this is not for you.

WHAT does grunge look like when it gets older? In the case of Eddie Vedder you can still see signs of what made it exciting as theres a vague air of danger about him.
His rugged charm offset by the rest of the band who appear like four boffins working at the helm of an internet firm, the type that dont have to dress to go to work. Its not only the band that has inevitably changed with time, their audience has too, theyve become younger but equally as devoted.

With a single glance Vedder sends different banks of the audience into raptures before launching into Long Road, a climbing song that blooms from a slow start.
Many of Pearl Jams songs unfold in the same way, built on subtle foundations before fluttering into life.

On the flip side theres the likes of their second song, Last Exit, hitting a driving pace early and maintaining the same speed. Both extremes can become tiresome when repeated throughout two and a half-hour show, a feat which Pearl Jam appear to comfortably sustain.


Jeff Aments fuzzed up bass features heavily in the grimy rock of Why Go, setting the scene for its primal, chanting chorus.

Compared with the joyous The Fixer, from the latest album Backspacer, it becomes clear what 18 years can do to ease any band out of an agitated phase into accepting that yeah, yeah, yeah is actually a good line for a catchy chorus.

As Vedder addresses his audience of Mancs following the song he nervously claws at the hem of his T-shirt, suggesting the awkward traits of youth havent yet deserted him completely.

The frontman also paid tribute to a Manchester-based friend in former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr by dedicating one number to the well-connected local hero.

Shades of brilliance
The performance offered shades of brilliance as well as missed opportunities to make the night really memorable.

For every shredding solo that emerges from the fretboard of Mike McCready, even managing to play one entirely behind his back during the almighty Even Flow, theres another gentle drop in pace to allow the layers of folk, blues and country in their music to come through.

During an intricate jam Vedder begins to gravitate towards the side of the stage for what appears to be a bottle of wine and the odd, crafty cigarette.

With stunt soloing and illegal smoking in full view Pearl Jam begin to show real rock credentials before Grievance takes the wind out of everyones sails with its joyless, slow pace.

With an audience wanting to be let loose again after the false starts it takes an energetic run through of Rearview Mirror to get the room bouncing again.

A first encore brings another hit in Daughter, creating a reserved air of euphoria in near tropical temperatures before Alive fulfils its promise to really let rip.

A second, five-song encore containing the almighty Drop The Leash fades out with a whimper with a goodnight lullaby in the form of Indifference.




********review of concert in men paper aug 18,2009******

Category:

Music

Tags:

• MEN Arena
• Pearl Jam
• august 17 2009 concert

[sidnum]

@stupidlittlekitty

I love how you comment on someone being so dumb but then have the grammar characteristics of a 1st grader. And actually worse than that, you're not a 1st grader, so you just look like a complete unintelligent moron. Nice...

[Holyjammer]

I had the chance to see my 2 favorite songs, Given to Fly and Black.

When GtF started I almost jumped to the lower section...I wanted to fly on those first notes.

My voice cracked, I was yelling like a manic..

When Black started in reache a higher state, only possible to get there through Black...

The most transcendental song ever..

Well this was a small review of what I felt that night, anyway I liked to read the review u left here...it's always a pleasure to remember those 2 shows on the U.K.

[Holyjammer]

Believe it or not this Man. gig was my first Pearl Jam I attended. Iwaited 12 years to that day and I must say I was the happiest person in that night.

I quit my job, I went on a 4 hour plane trip and more 5 hours on a bus to get to Manchester and then my dream became true when I saw them heading to the stage.

Those 2 hours to me were more than perfect, beyond the thousands of dreams I had all those years that I waited..

[notforyou760]

This is not for you, kitty.

[stupidlittlekitty]

this has got to the worst video i have ever seen these stupid ballsacks need to stop being a band theyr old & dumb amd fuck whatever dumb motherfucker is stupid enough to take the time to write such a long, stupid thing

[ReesaArt]

Sweeeet!! thanks for posting this!!