Class ACT - Pearl Jam in Kissimmee, October 8, 2004Oct 28 '04 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Pearls Jam's Vote For Change finale is just what you'd expect: Spectacular. With a history of raucous tour finales in Florida (Ft. Lauderdale 1996, West Palm Beach 1998), Pearl Jam wrapped up their brief Vote For Change tour at Kissimmee’s Silver Spurs Arena on October 8. The tour, which stopped in six of the country’s “swing states,” included other acts such as R.E.M., James Taylor, and Bruce Springsteen performing in other venues in the same area. Proceeds from the concerts went to America Coming Together (ACT), an organization aimed at informing and registering voters. The 8,000 or so fans that were corralled into the venue were more than happy to contribute in return for a night with the Seattle quintet. Also on the bill were actor Tim Robbins’ band Gob Roberts and Seattle shoe-gazers Death Cab For Cutie. After Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder opened the show with two quick acoustic covers, Cat Steven’s Trouble and the Beatles’ Hide Your Love Away, Robbins took the stage as the grumpy, ultraconservative Republican Bob Roberts from his movie of the same name. After a staged electrocution, Gob Roberts rumbled through a half hour’s worth of Americana rock which included a cover of Dylan’s Masters of War. Death Cab followed with their brand of cloudy, Brit-pop songs. Throwing groups together, though for a good cause, can make for odd parings. Under normal circumstances, Death Cab wouldn’t be the type of band to open a Pearl Jam show. Their material was a little low key, especially in such a revved-up live setting. Pearl Jam finally took the stage and charged like a bull out of the gates in the converted rodeo arena. Opening with four blazing songs, including “Amerikan in Me” by the Avengers, one of the few politically flavored songs of the night, the band seemed to be on a pace to wear out themselves and the buzzing crowd. Diving into their stable of anthems, “Even Flow” followed and helped keep the energy up for the entire first set. At one point during the first set, Vedder addressed the crowd and announced that the band would leave it “all on the stage” and play the longest show of the tour. Sweet words to any concertgoers ears. It was very clear that everyone from the band, to the fans, to the celebrities side-stage was in for an energetic and enjoyable night. Even the usually stoic guitarist Stone Gossard got into the groove, duck walking and head bobbing throughout the night. The set was pretty standard for the tour, especially considering Pearl Jam is known for changing and overhauling their setlists night after night. One major and welcome surprise was the reemergence of “Timeless Melody”, a song by The La’s that Pearl Jam hadn’t played since the 2000 tour. The band’s energy was off the charts and made up for anything the setlist lacked. Guitarist Mike McCready was in rare form, posing, strutting, and shredding behind-the-head solos throughout the night. It was also apparent that drummer Matt Cameron has found a groove with bassist Jeff Ament and the rest of the band since joining the group back in 1998. And though the band vowed to focus on voter registration and encouragement and keep things positive for this tour, no Bush bashing or anti Republican sentiment, the band still threw in political cover songs (“Fortunate Son”, “The New World”) as well as adlibbed commentary. At one point during a post-“Wishlist” jam, Vedder uttered “I want to be the president,” before quickly qualifying the statement. After a manic and insane version of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” that included all the members of both opening bands, Pearl Jam returned to end the show like they ended the other two Florida tour finales. With the house lights on and smiles from the last row to the stage, McCready launched into the goodbye that is “Yellow Ledbetter.” Always known for their social and political awareness, Pearl Jam were a perfect fit for the VFC tour. They also showed that they’re still a very powerful live act. During Betterman, quite possibly the least political song ever written, Vedder repeatedly asked the crowd if they were going to vote, each time building in intensity before finally screaming “don’t let me down.” After the performance the band put on, it’s the least we could do.  |
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