Pearl Jam were in fighting form at the O2 Arena last night with front man Eddie Vedder in particular leading by example. Bounding on stage with the swagger of a boxer before a fight, Vedder led the band through a near two and a half hour set spanning the length of their 19 year career.

From the majestic beauty of set opening 'Release', from debut album 'Ten', the sell out crowd were in fine voice at times nearly drowning out Vedder during classics such as 'Alive' and extended versions of 'Black' and 'Betterman'. Two encores saw staple live covers of The Who's 'Love, Reign o'er Me' and Victoria Williams' 'Crazy Mary', the latter featuring guitarist Mike McCready trading solos with organist Kenneth 'Boom' Gasper while Vedder watched on, wine bottle in one hand, crafty cigarette in the other.

Although for many years seen as dour and humourless, the band seemed to be genuinely enjoying the night with McCready running the length of the stage and soloing behind his head during ‘Even Flow‘. Even when Vedder dedicated ‘Light Years’ to a friend who’d passed away the day before, there was a reliance in the performance that seemed to set the tone of the evening, that life is short and we should enjoy it while we can.

At one point Eddie mentioned that this would be their last gig here for quite a while. If true they truly went out with a bang ,no doubt leaving an indelible mark on the minds of many tonight. I just hope it’s not too long.

Setlist -

Release
Animal
Corduroy
Why Go
Eldery Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
Immortality
The Fixer
Even Flow
I Got ID
Rats
Got Some
Whipping
Light Years
Insignificance
Black
Life Wasted
Blood (Atomic Dog)

Supersonic
Hail Hail
Footsteps
Love Reign O'er Me
Do The Evolution
Alive

Better Man (Save It For Later)
Crazy Mary
Leaving Here
Porch
Yellow Ledbetter

Words by Matt Goodwin