Live music review: Pearl Jam put on historic performance to wrap tour at Moody Center in Austin

Around 7:30 p.m., on September 19, Eddie Vedder’s voice echoed through the halls of the Moody Center.  It would be the second of two consecutive nights on which the seasoned rock veterans, Pearl Jam, would rattle the walls of the vaunted and relatively new Austin arena on the University of Texas campus, ending their extended, world-wide tour in the Live Music Capital.

Vedder’s voice came over the PA far earlier than expected — was a more-than-welcome start to the evening.  Fans hurried into the arena as Pearl Jam’s frontman performed an acoustic cover of “Throw Your Arms Around Me,” by Hunters and Collectors.  Inhaler was set to open, so among the pleasantly-surprised patrons, a bit of confusion swirled around the venue.

After the cover song, Vedder then introduced Inhaler. The Dublin quartet of Elijah Hewson (lead vocals and guitar), Ryan McMahon (drums), Robert Keating (bass), and Josh Jenkinson (guitar),  formed in 2012, and has carried with them a classic template of cool-popular appeal in both their music, and public image. 

If Inhaler’s lead vocalist’s name looks familiar, this is because his father is Paul Hewson, better known as Bono (U2), a fact that the band does not try to hide or avoid discussing.  But make no mistake; the Dublin rockers have proved time and time again that they are worthy of their current status.  If anything, being led by the child of such a prominent figure has made it that much more important that Inhaler forge their own identity, and put in the time and work to do so.

Inhaler Setlist
Just To Keep You Satisfied
Who’s Your Money On?
Dublin In Ecstasy
Love Will Get You There
If You’re Going To Break My Heart
It Won’t Always Be Like This
Cheer Up Baby
My Honest Face

Just after 8:30 p.m., the legendary headliners took the Moody Center stage. Opening with a fan-favorite but setlist rarity (PJ played it only four times on this tour according to Setlist.fm) from Ten, “Wash,” the Seattle five-piece embarked on a two-and-a-half-hour performance that would rank as one of their greatest tour-ending shows ever.

Wrapping up their tour in Austin was intentional, as Vedder expressed countless times how much the band enjoys visiting the Capital City.

The show continued as the seasoned rockers band played an exploration of their hits, covered some classics, and bantered with the standing audience on all sides of the stage (even behind them) for over 140 minutes. This rendition of “Better Man” was particularly moving as fans turned a number of beloved songs into sing-a-longs.

In addition to the hits, and a few deep Pearl Jam cuts, the quintet also introduced new material, one number played for the first time, with the band learning the song together on stage.  This all accompanied the news of an upcoming album that deeply pleased an already excited crowd even more. From reflecting light directly on audience members from his guitar, to playing “Who You Are” at a fan’s request for their birthday, Vedder’s authentic lead vocalist qualities were never in doubt as he built upon the rapport with the crowd throughout the evening, effectively shrinking the 15K+ capacity arena into a more intimate space.

As the lights came on in the auditorium, Pearl Jam continued to play, making the point that this dedicated crowd would be treated to an extended performance, as the tour would wrap that night.

On September 19, Moody Center patrons witnessed a profoundly entertaining and engaging performance.  On the second night of the back-to-back musical exhibition, Pearl Jam played only one of the 23 numbers they played on the previous evening, choosing to basically extend the setlist from the previous evening. Watching one of the greatest live, rock n’ roll bands on the planet delivered one of their greatest performances, holding nothing back. it felt less like a concert and more like attending what will be retold as rock n’ roll legend for many years to come. Watch the full concert recorded by YouTuber, Alex Booth here.

Pearl Jam Setlist
Before Inhaler
Throw Your Arms Around Me
Official Set
Wash
Sometimes
Low Light
Black
Retrograde
Once
Never Destination
Why Go
1/2 Full
Daughter
Unemployable
Dance of the Clairvoyants
Habit
Who You Are
Glorified G
Rearviewmirror

Encore
Imagine (John Lennon Cover)
Last Kiss (Wayne Cochran Cover)
Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns (Mother of Love Bone Cover)
State of Love and Trust
Jeremy
Better Man
Alive
Rockin’ in the Free World (Neil Young cover [with Inhaler])
Yellow Ledbetter

Photos by Brian Hillsman

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