Pearl Jam Plays Final Show at The Spectrum (13 Years Ago)
13 years ago, today (10/31/09), Pearl Jam played the final show ever at The Spectrum in South Philadelphia. I was fortunate enough to be able to see 2 of the final 4 shows ever at the legendary South Philly arena. A venue I went to as a kid, with my parents and brothers, seeing everything from the circus to truck and tractor pulls and of course, our Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers.
On this night, 13 years ago, the vibe was just different. One of the biggest bands in the world coupled their energy with that with 20,000+ screaming Philadelphia fans to bring us a night of music and fanfare that will be immortalized in our hearts (& ears) forever. And, apparently, Pearl Jam’s longest ever performance.
I was fortunate enough to be able to snag one of the final nights posters (pictured) – trying to keep that poster in good condition while holding it and rocking out for 3 hours was a feat within itself (IYKYK). After the show was over, I peeled the circular, numbered stickers off the floor next to my isle. I thought it was a neat keepsake that would be a cool addition to the (eventual) framed poster and ticket stub. I think of all the shows and events those stickers were “in the building” for, all of the people that have stepped on them over the years… all of that rich Philly history absorbed in those two crusty circles. (they’re not stuck to the poster btw)
Taking the uniqueness of the final four shows ever at the Spectrum with Pearl Jam one step further, the band released a limited-edition deluxe box set with the audio of all 4 nights – packaged in this super cool Spectrum themed box. (pictured)
42!! Songs and 2 full encores with Eddie and the guys coming out dressed AS DEVO for a raucous rendition of “Whip It” to kick off the final encore set.
Pearl Jam – October 31st 2009 Spectrum – Philadelphia
- Why Go
- Last Exit
- Corduroy
- Severed Hand
- The Fixer
- Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
- You Are
- Amongst the Waves
- Even Flow
- Pilate
- Unthought Known
- Daughter (with “It’s Ok” and “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2” tags)
- Johnny Guitar
- Rats
- I’m Open
- I Got Id
- Glorified G
- Out of My Mind (first time since 6 April 1994)
- Black
- Insignificance
- Life Wasted
- Encore 1: Just Breathe
- The End
- Low Light
- Speed of Sound
- Jeremy
- Inside Job
- Bugs (live debut
- Spin the Black Circle
- Porch
- Encore 2:
- Whip It (DEVO cover)
- Got Some
- Crown of Thorns (Mother Love Bone cover)
- Satan’s Bed
- Sweet Lew (live debut)
- Do the Evolution
- Better Man
- Smile
- Alive
- Rockin’ in the Free World (Neil Young cover)
- Yellow Ledbetter ->>>
- >>>The Star-Spangled Banner (John Stafford Smith & Francis Scott Key cover) (Mike McCready solo)
