Pearl Jam at MSG

There is an extremely limited number of bands that can launch a tour with no new material or significant media promotion around it. There’s even fewer who could sell out 2 nights at Madison Square Garden, even with a full-on media blitz. All Pearl Jam had to do was announce the shows on their website and they sold out in minutes. That’s the kind of power they retain after years of consistent good material and most importantly always doing the right thing for their fans. They’re the only band left standing that came out of the ‘grunge-rock’ explosion in the early 90’s, and Tuesday night’s show demonstrated that their popularity has seemed to only increase with time.
The wailed through classics like “Evenflow”, “Eldery Woman...” and “Daughter” but it was their non radio-hits that went over best and give an important signal into the depth of their fanbase. Songs like “Given to Fly”, “Faithful”, “Present Tense”, and one of my favorite PJ deep cuts, “Indifference”.
Greatest of all to see at this show is the energy. The band’s and the crowd’s. It what seems to be missing in rock music today, but not at a Pearl Jam gig. This clip says it all, how they're able to create a wild, rock-club like atmosphere in a huge arena, everyone on their feet and totally going for it. As all the comments on YouTube and message boards have been evangelizing, an absolutely killer show.