Arrived around 20 minute before Ben Harper went on. I couldn't get there in time for Liam Finn but I would liked to have been there for that. Ben Harper was awesome. Such a laid back sound, even on the heavy songs. The uniqueness of the slide guitar which you don't hear too much these days adds a really dirty, urban feel to his music. I have a couple of his albums but I think I'll acquire the rest. Eddie Vedder made an appearance during the set to sing a cover of Under Pressure.
Twenty to thirty minute gap before Pearl Jam came out. I was sitting in the Chappell stands, and from about 2 minutes after Ben Harper left, to about two minutes before Pearl Jam came on, the sun was in my eyes. Great timing as it sunk behind the stage and into the ocean.
Having been to all five Adelaide shows since 1995 I wasn't sure what would be first, but I was happy when Release was played. One of the best opening songs of theirs and it really sets the mood for an outdoor concert.
The setlist was littered with obscure song choices that I haven't seen much of live before, yet love. Brain of J, In My Tree, Faithful, No Way, Red Mosquito and Smile really added to a set that was energy from start to finish, even in the quiet moments. Ed forgot the words in Amongst the Waves, a new song that obviously hasn't sunk into his subconcious as much as he would like! It was a musing to see him screw up and then laugh about it.
Very happy to see I Got Sh!t played. Underrated song that really translates well live. State of Love and Trust was awesome as always and that, with Alive, made me feel 16 again. Blood was freakin great and Ed sounded tremendous.
Ben Harper came out and played slide guitar on Red Mosquito and was brilliant - he is amazing on that thing. He then stayed for the next song, with him and Ed combining beautifully for Indifference. I had shivers down my spine during that. I have seen them perform it on DVD before, but being there for it was out of this world for me.
The new songs were excellent. Got Some was as good as I thought it would be, but Ed really shone on Johnny Guitar, even though it's not one of my favourites on the new album. Just Breathe was sublime with the spotlight on Ed.
The Adelaide Oval lights came on just after Alive finished to mimic what happens at the indoor concerts, and Mike launched into Yellow Ledbetter which is the ideal way to finish any Pearl Jam concert.
I wanted to write more but I'm stuffed. For those interested, the setlist was:
Main Set Release, Why Go, Gonna see my Friend, Brain of J, In My Tree, Severed Hand, Faithfull, Got Some, Even Flow, Johnny Guitar, Amongst the Waves, I Got Shit, Small Town, No Way, Unthought Known, Lukin, Blood,
Encore 1 Just Breathe, Red Mosquito, Indifference, State of Love and Trust, The Real Me, The Fixer, Rearviewmirror,
Encore 2 Smile
Life Wasted, Alive, Yellow Ledbetter... Smile Life Wasted, Alive, Yellow Ledbetter...Over two hours. I went with a mate who saw Marilyn Manson recently, and the set was 13 songs!
BRILLIANT night.
