Pearl Jam Concert Chronology

2002

September 23, 2002 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL, USA (Maryville Academy Benefit)

supporting: The Who

soundcheck: Last Kiss, Grievance (x2), Green Disease, Insignificance, Leaving Here
setlist: Last Kiss, Insignificance, Grievance, I Am Mine, Love Boat Captain, Green Disease, Not For You, Better Man, Leaving Here, Yellow Ledbetter

Originally this benefit was to feature Eddie plus C-Average opening for The Who, but Pearl Jam (minus Stone, who had a prior commitment with Conservation International) opened. In a funny twist, a near life-sized cardboard cutout of Stone wearing a gold glittery jacket and holding Pete's Gibson is brought out on the stage. Eddie quips about Stone being very "one dimensional" tonight. Kenneth "Boom" Gaspar, a native Hawaiian friend of Eddie's (who plays on some of the forthcoming Riot Act tracks), fills in on keyboards. Jeff, in an obvious nod to the late John Entwistle, wears a skeleton t-shirt. Eddie notes at one point during the show that "Boom" flew in from the islands just for this show. "Leaving Here" is nailed and a a hit with The Who fans. "Yellow Ledbetter", with modified lyrics (referencing Entwistle), closes the set with Eddie noting it "takes a lot of balls" to play on the stage that The Who are about to come out on. A quick set with the band cheerful and a mix of songs to play to that particular crowd, de-emphasize Stone's absence and introduce a few new ones.

November 12, 2002 - Riot Act

tracklist: Can't Keep, Save You, Love Boat Captain, Cropduster, Ghost, I Am Mine, Thumbing My Way, You Are, Get Right, Green Disease, Help Help, Bu$hleaguer, ½ Full, Arc, All Or None

Pearl Jam release their seventh studio album, Riot Act, through Epic Records. Produced by Pearl Jam & Adam Kasper. Mixed by Brendan O'Brien.

November 14, 2002 - Ed Sullivan Theater - New York City, NY, USA (Late Show with David Letterman)

setlist: I Am Mine, Save You

Pearl Jam makes their fourth band appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman playing "I Am Mine", the first single from recently released, Riot Act. "Boom" lends a hand on the keyboard. "Save You" was also performed, but aired on November 15. Letterman jokes about "Hope you slept well last night!". "Save You" is a more rockin' song, with Eddie substituting "cuff" for the "fuck" lyrics.

December 5, 2002 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA, USA

opening act: NEO

soundcheck: Blood (x2), You Are, Save You, Can't Keep, I Am Mine, Down
setlist: Can't Keep, Save You, Get Right, Green Disease, Grievance, Cropduster, I Am Mine, Love Boat Captain, 1/2 Full, Nothing As It Seems, You Are, Given To Fly, Insignificance, Blood
encore 1: Last Kiss, Wishlist, Black, Down, Do The Evolution
encore 2: All Or None

The first of two warm-up club shows. Setlist provides a run-through of the new album with "Blood" as a big suprise (except to those who heard the soundcheck or saw the setlist). Eddie completely blanks out during "All Or None", apologizing for people having paid $36 to watch the band rehearse. Some of the revenues from tonight's show will go to help build a park for children in Hawaii.

December 6, 2002 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA, USA

opening act: Steve Earle

soundcheck: Thumbing My Way, Daughter, Elderly Woman..., Off He Goes, Ghost (x2), Rearviewmirror, Last Exit, Bu$hleaguer, Don't Believe In Christmas
setlist: Elderly Woman..., Off He Goes, Thumbing My Way, Thin Air, Breakerfall, Green Disease, Corduroy, Save You, Ghost, Cropduster, I Am Mine, Love Boat Captain, Gods' Dice, 1/2 Full, Daughter/(War), You Are, Rearviewmirror
encore 1: Bu$hleaguer, Insignificance, Better Man, Do The Evolution, Yellow Ledbetter
encore 2: Soon Forget, Don't Believe In Christmas

True to form, the band is more relaxed and has a much better energy the second night. Unusual opening with "Elderly Woman...". "Daughter" is tagged with Edwin Star's "War", which turns into a crowd chant ("War! What's it good for? Absolutely nothing! Say it again..."). Eddie dons a George W. Bush mask upon returning for the encore, leading to premiere of the controversial "Bu$hleaguer". A Bill Gates mask is evidenced during "Do The Evolution". A uke in a telecaster shape comes out for "Soon Forget" and lyrics are a struggle (for many of the songs). "Don't Believe In Christmas" is a cover, originally by the old Tacoma punk band, The Sonics.

December 8, 2002 - KeyArena - Seattle, WA, USA

opening acts: Brad, Steve Earle

soundcheck: Black, Insignificance, Love Boat Captain, You Are, Even Flow, Light Years, I Got Id, Blood, Save You (x2)
setlist: Elderly Woman..., Black, Thumbing My Way, Nothing As It Seems, Given To Fly, Save You, Hail Hail, Ghost, Corduroy, Grievance, Green Disease, I Am Mine, Love Boat Captain, You Are, 1/2 Full, Even Flow, Wishlist, Blood
encore 1: Gimme Some Truth, Bu$hleaguer, Insignificance, Down, Better Man, Do The Evolution
encore 2: Yellow Ledbetter

First of two shows at KeyArena benefitting a large list of charitable organizations Pearl Jam supports. The fan club offered a number of good tickets to members via a lottery. Eddie takes the stage and tries to lead the crowd in singing "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" as this is the 22nd anniversary of John Lennon's death. "Black" pops up early on the setlist, slowed down a bit with Stone on acoustic guitar. Eddie quips about a slow start on a Sunday night and asks if the crowd wants to know how "The Sopranos" ended (that Sunday night being the season closer). He's in a good mood, cracking jokes about the media and discussing politics. Mike smashes a white guitar after "Blood". Big, high energy night for Mike. The Bush mask is back for "Bu$hleaguer". Many lyrical flubs. Eddie is sporting a Ramones shirt and modifies the "Do The Evolution" lyrics: "Admire me, admire my clone, admire my son, admire the Ramones".

December 9, 2002 - KeyArena - Seattle, WA, USA

opening acts: Brad, Mudhoney

setlist: Release, Breakerfall, Save You, Gods' Dice, Cropduster, Green Disease, Lukin, Not For You, Black, I Am Mine, Love Boat Captain, Daughter/(War), Even Flow, Thumbing My Way, Light Years, You Are, Insignificance, Rearviewmirror
encore 1: Last Exit, Brain Of J., Bu$hleaguer, I Got Id, Elderly Woman..., Do The Evolution
encore 2: Yellow Ledbetter, Don't Believe In Christmas

Good energy tonight with Eddie smashing his blue SG guitar at the end of "Rearviewmirror". Lots of political ranting, the Bush mask and plenty of red wine lead to "Bu$hleaguer". Much improved version of "Yellow Ledbetter" compared to the previous night's version.