CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

The news headlines may well be focused on lip syncing and over priced live shows by karaoke acts but the real rock action was at Adelaide Oval with a triple bill featuring Pearl Jam, Ben Harper & The Relentless 7 and Liam Finn. Adelaide Oval was an ideal setting for an outdoor stadium rock extravaganza and the perfect weather described by frontman Eddie Vedder as “good karma” that has followed the band so far on their Australian tour. Ed also made the comment about – œsplitting the needle’ given the weather preceeding the show and the likely forecast for the rest of the week.

I’ve never been disappointed with the Pearl Jam experience and this night was no exception. Memorial Drive in 1995 was awesome, Thebarton Oval in 1998 was equally as great but there is definitely something spectacular about the surrounds of Adelaide Oval with all the tradition and splendor with the sun beaming on the Cathedral in the background.

The early kick off time caught a few people out, including me, who missed Liam Finn but fortunately I was walking in as Ben Harper & Relentless 7 hit the stage. Harper and company definitely rose to the occasion playing a solid set with his young guns – œThe Relentless 7’. The opening two numbers were recognisable with I Will Not Be Broken and Faded being received well but the big applause came when Eddie Vedder joined Harper on stage for the Bowie classic Under Pressure a massive highlight for those there early. The remainder of his set featured songs of his relatively new album White Lies For Dark Times.

Pearl Jam hit the stage earlier than scheduled opening with Release. Definitely a special song that always makes the hairs on the back of neck stand up, for me it’s one of those moments of brilliance. For Pearl Jam fans and music fans in general the debate, even post-show, will always be about what should and shouldn’t been on the set list and that the – œbig hits’ should always be heard. Nevertheless, punters should know by now not to expect the same show twice and that’s what we got, which was fantastic.

For the purists there were some really great songs in the set including In My Tree, No Way, Lukin, Blood and I Got ID. I’m sure everyone will have personal favourites but it’s those gems tucked away on some albums proved to be highlights for me. The band covered all bases, old and new, with Even Flow and Alive to newer material of Backspacer including Gonna See My Friend, Johnny Guitar, Amongst The Waves and Unthought Known.

I Got ID was a classic moment with Vedder forgetting some of the lyrics and conceeding that at least he wasn’t lip syncing. Vedder regularly spoke to the audience even reminding some knob the front to behave himself, even flashing his face on the big screen receiving the iconic boos from the 21,000 strong crowd. A letter was also read out to the crowd from paraolympian Mel Leckie and Vedder was inspired by her determination even kicking in two thousand for next olympic campaign.

Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town was well received and so was Ben Harper returning to the stage in the encore joining the band for Red Mosquito and Indifference. At this point there was a general consesus that no one wanted this night to end with State Of Love & Trust, The Fixer and Rearviewmirror (which hasn’t been played here since 1998) closing out the first encore.

With the curfew fast looming Eddie did question the wine he was drinking, all in fun! To close out the second encore with crowd favourites by way of Alive and Yellow Ledbetter topped off a fantastic show. Fingers crossed for another tour before too long!

Ben Harper & Relentless 7 Setlist
I Will Not Be Broken
Faded (The Will To Live)
Number With No Name
Under Pressure
Shimmer & Shine
Lay There & Hate Me
Boots Like These
Up To You Now

Pearl Jam Setlist
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 ID
Small Town
No Way
Unthought Known
Lukin
Blood

Encore 1:
Just Breathe
Red Mosquito w/ Ben Harper
Indifference w/ Ben Harper
State Of Love And Trust
The Real Me-(Townshend)
The Fixer
Rearviewmirror

Encore 2:
Smile
Life Wasted
Alive
Yellow Ledbetter

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.