Eddie Vedder stands strong solo
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Eddie Vedder in full voice during his first solo concert at the State Theatre in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson
Source: News Limited
ONLY a handful of musicians win respect and success both fronting a band and solo.
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder is one of them, as evidenced by the instant sellout of his solo tour which took off after the band’s run as Big Day Out headliners.
As those who witnessed him on his first solo tour off the back of the Ukulele Songs album can attest, Vedder is able to bridge the gulf between audience and stage with an everyman touch.
He turned Sydney’s State Theatre into a massive loungeroom with the audience made so comfortable, whether by experience or alcohol, there were more than a few shouted conversations between Vedder and the fans.
“Well, two weeks ago, it was dirt and plastic dunnies. Now it’s chandeliers and velvet seats,” he said, comparing the festival fields his band played in to the stunning venues of his solo tour.
Eddie Vedder commanded the stage at the State Theatre in Sydney
Source: News Limited
The “conversations” brought out his natural-born comedian. When not playing Pearl Jam, solo songs or covers, the musician was trading one-liners and amusing anecdotes with ease.
This was unscripted entertainment in an era when the patter between songs is scheduled as tightly as the set.
Pearl Jam songs were reimagined with intriguing results particularly on Better Man and Thumbing My Way.
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The singalong which greeted Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town provoked goosebumps while his rendition of the Beatles’ You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away had the crowd shouting to the rafters.
He also covered his mate Bruce Springsteen with Open All Night and referenced his famous line about “travelling over shark infested waters” to get to Australia.
Eddie Vedder was in a playful mood, joking often to people in the audience
Source: News Limited
Vedder is rumoured to be joining Springsteen on stage as a guest at one of his Melbourne concerts this weekend.
He completely slayed fans recently when he joined Neil Finn to sing Throw Your Arms Around me and History Never Repeats for his Max Sessions taping.
His solo tour special guest Glen Hansard, who starts his own tour next month joined Vedder on stage for several songs including the joyous finale with Indio’s Big Hard Sun.
The only question mark over the evening was why Vedder wasn’t drinking his usual onstage beverage of red wine.
Inquiring fans want to know, Eddie.
