Pearl Jam Rocks the Vote at the Fleet Center
Nick Petralia

Pearl Jam, along with their opening act Death Cab for Cutie, tore the roof off the Fleet Center on the 28th and 29th of September in a attempt to encourage people vote for a change in America. Pearl Jam accompanied with an incredible list of other artists, which includes the Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M, Ben Harper, and many others are all apart of the Vote for Change tour. This tour is a coalition of musicians brought together by one idea, the need to make a change in the direction our country is heading; the Vote for Change tour is presented by MoveOn PAC, with all concert proceeds benefiting the work of (ACT) America Coming Together. Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam said “ this upcoming election provides everyone an opportunity to change the direction our country is going in, and to elect a government that is just, rational and respectful of the viewers and rights of the people it serves. This coalition wants to be a part of that change.” The tours focus was to be on the state! s that are expected to have the closest race in the upcoming presidential election, but the band added the two shows at the Fleet Center because the (DNC) Democratic National Convention was held here. A very Politically driven Eddie Vedder lead singer of Pearl Jam said at the show on the 28th at the Fleet Center “we love playing in Boston, it was a must.”

Both shows were incredible both musical, and how they were conducted. At the first show Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam came on stage early to play, a pre set by playing “Don’t Be Shy”, and “Hide Your Love Away”. This was followed up by one amazing show, and a few words between songs by Eddie Vedder. The band played some of their greatest material they have such as, “Do the Evolution” “Hail Hail” and “Jeremy” to please the anticipating and anxious crowd. Eddie Vedder was full of energy as well as the rest of the band Mike Mccready was off the wall with excitement, and was playing sensational riff’s that electrified the crowd. It was good to see them so up beat and ready to throw a crowd pleasing show. This tour has really brought them together, and the band seemed really pleased to be a part of Vote for Change because these shows are for one cause to get people to the polls on November 2nd; and for anyone who knows of Eddie Vedder knows he has enormous political interest an! d involvement.

Second night the band mixes it up a bit and plays a few cover songs, which included “Lion’s Share” by the LA punk band, Germs. “Alone” and “IV Got a Feeling” which were surprises, not played by the band since shows played ten years ago. Pearl Jam again just as the first night proceeded to play one of the best sets of the tour by breaking into the song “Go” an intense opener for the crowed followed by “Animal” one of their more popular songs and a sing-along for the crowd; they ate it up. They later slowed things down a bit and came on stage for a Acoustic set where they played “Lukin” usually played as one of there heavier, faster, distorted songs followed by “Off He Goes” “Man Of The Hour” “Parting Ways” and “Black” a favorite among the crowd it got a really good response. They ended the set with their Final encore by playing “Rocking in the Free World” which I believe was suppose to be a silent message to the crowd from the band.

Overall, the two shows were a masterpiece, both musically and by the effort, the band put into the shows as well as the whole tour. You could see that this really meant something to them, and they wanted to share it with the crowd and let them know how they felt about our country, our leader and our future. Matt Rauscher a fan who attended the show said he was, “amazed at the set lists, and the energy the band had. There doing this for a good cause, to many people don’t vote, and don’t understand that they have a voice in this country, and I think its great that PJ is coming out here to get the message out.”