This was the second show of the tour and I was certainly glad I was able to catch them both. It was Saturday night and as Vedder walked on stage the crowd exploded. It felt like there were twice as many people in the theater as there were on Thursday and as Eddie approached the microphone he took a look into the crowd with an almost surprised expression and said, “Got a good feeling about this one.” Warmed up and ready to go and the energy was even higher than the first night.
Highlights from the set included a new song called “Without You” that I took in with a Cheshire grin that made my cheeks sore. Because of the new material being played the security is quite strict about any video/ audio recording and flash photography in the building which meant that, sadly, I was not able to capture a photo of Eddie’s scruffy beard and magnificent mug.
I have many favorites, but hearing “Off He Goes” in an intimate environment was such an intense experience. Then I was almost surprised to be injected with a second dose of my “Man of the Hour” and “Unknown Thought” fix which was just as powerful an experience as it was the first show. He also played a Beatles cover “You’ve got to hide your love away” which I had actually seen him perform live before during a Pearl Jam show when he stepped on stage before the opening act to welcome all the early birds in the stadium.
Now EJ Barnes is a girl from the opening act in this tour and she performs a couple of lovely covers with Eddie at the start of the first encore. I could imagine few things more intimidating than singing a duet with Eddie Vedder on his solo tour and in the first show you could tell she was a little shy with her vocals, not wanting to dilute the experience of Eddie’s voice. But this time when they played “Golden State,” she nailed it and her voice was nothing but a sweet compliment to Eddie’s. I really hope they release a version of this song together so I can listen to it whenever I feel like it because this tune has been in my head for days.
Earlier on in the show there was some commotion up at the front of the stage as there were four unoccupied seats but then, I believe, some people from the back (or friends of the staff) were lucky enough to be taken to the vacant seats to enjoy a front row performance. Bastards. I wasn’t envious at all. Nope, not me. Not even when Eddie shook their hands and pulled half the front row on stage for the final song. Ah well, can’t let a little Green Disease interfere with one of the most amazing performances of my life. Besides, I bet those guys aren’t going to FOUR more shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Are you!?!
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