Playlist Rewind: Pearl Jam at the Spectrum

Tuesday night, Pearl Jam brought their Backspacer Tour to the Spectrum, the band's only stop on the East Coast. We were initially a little surprised when we heard that Social Distortion would be opening, but by the time they performed a brazen cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," we figured out why the pairing made sense (we have to admit that a few of us only knew Social Distortion from the Reality Bites soundtrack). The band came through an underground scene that infused a harder sound into the new wave of '80s punk, a movement that encouraged grunge and other alt-rock forms. We wouldn't be surprised if, at one point in time, Pearl Jam had opened for them.

A short video celebrating the Spectrum's history introduced Pearl Jam. As highlights flashed on screens next to the stage, Philly pride mounted, gathering any fervor lingering from the opening set. The band then entered to the Rocky theme, an act that pushed the already-stoked crowd to climax as Eddie Vedder stepped into a single beam of purple light. And then came "Corduroy."

Six songs later, Vedder paused to acknowledge the "brotherly love" surrounding the stage. "It's always been this way," he said, referring to the city's constant enthusiasm for the band. Had he asked us why, we could have told him. For almost 20 years now, Pearl Jam has emphasized a belief that they and their audience are on the same level, equally served by the music and able to engage through it. We are a proud people with blue collar roots. We like good music. But we love those who publicly recognize that they are no better than we are.

Also, we respond well to the band because they seem to believe what they say. Eddie Vedder dances with his audience. His voice speaks to us but his body engages our response. This love connection between artist and audience was most evident towards the end of the set, during "Nothingman." The crowd and the band shared in this performance, echoing the lyrics and rocking with the riffs, an experience that fell into mutual applause.

The first encore opened with a short acoustic set. "There's a reason why bands like to play in this room," Vedder said, praising the Spectrum for its acoustics and its "amazing" history. He called this week's showcase, the last performances in the Spectrum, "an honor" that the band "takes seriously and as a responsibility." Referencing Springsteen's concerts last week, Vedder said Pearl Jam "ain't no clean-up crew" and planned to "play every song [they] know" by the end of Saturday night.

We can't think of a much better voice to lead the final farewell.

Pearl Jam's four-night stand at the Spectrum continues tomorrow and Saturday.