Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
PEARL JAM UK
“The World’s Greatest Pearl Jam Tribute”
Pearl Jam UK give the most accurate and engaging performance of Pearl Jam’s music you will find anywhere, delivered with the typical Pearl Jam intensity they are renowned for. Choosing songs from the entire Pearl Jam catalogue and some of the covers Pearl Jam themselves play, all culminate in a tribute band that becomes more than just a tribute. Pearl Jam UK — established in 2010 is the UK’s longest running, most successful and critically acclaimed international touring tribute to Pearl Jam.
Tonight, 19/10/2019, saw the band drop into Brighton for the first time at Concorde 2.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Pearl Jam UK are a Liverpool based tribute to Pearl Jam consisting of five friends who all share a genuine love and respect for one of the greatest and most influential American rock bands of all time.The band also perfectly recreates that distinctive 90’s era “grunge” look that became synonymous with Pearl Jam, with corduroy jackets, flannel shirts, shorts and Doc Martens aplenty.
It was an early start tonight due to an early curfew at Concorde 2 for another event straight after the gig finished. A fair sized crowd had gathered when I arrived. No support slot tonight. The support slot was filled by Pearl Jam UK! It was to be an almost unplugged/acoustic affair, a calm before the storm set to start off the evening.
Pearl Jam UK – The band…
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Kev Dixon as Eddie Vedder (Vocals/Guitar)
Jay Bennett as Jeff Ament (Bass/Vocals)
Rob Clougher as Mike McCready(Lead Guitar/Vocals)
Col Lloyd as Stone Gossard (Rhythm Guitar)
Paul Champion as Dave Abbruzzese/Matt Cameron (Drums)
Pearl Jam UK – acoustic…
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
This was a fabulous introduction to the band. They were all sitting down, no doubt saving their collective energy for what was to come! This was a quiet spot and an opportunity to see these guys, and hear them play, some wonderful Pearl Jam classics stripped back to basics. The lighting and the mood was subdued, perfect for what the guys were doing. As this mini set progressed the venue had started to fill up quite quickly.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The acoustic set was comprised of 6 Pearl Jam songs: Long Road, Red Mosquito, Thin Air, Footsteps, Elderly Woman and Last Kiss. How was that for starters? Brilliant to just chill and listen to these songs performed so well before…
Pearl Jam UK tear it up!
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band got to their feet and neatly packed away their instruments, and took hold of their electrics and took up their positions. The crowd surged forward and the folk near the front jockeyed for that all important place up against the barrier. The band were received with rapturous applause from the audience in Concorde 2 as it was clear the guys were here and they now meant some rock and roll business! The set blasted off with Animal, and dear reader, I do mean blast off! From the subdued previous 30 minutes, we were hit round the face with a grunge rock hammer blow. Hell this was LOUD!
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band then blast through DoThe Evolution and Go. Three songs in and Concorde 2 was jumping. The band were loud but I have to say the Brighton crowd were louder than ever as they joined in. I noted folk at the front singing along to every song played. I never saw Pearl Jam in the day, but from the intensity of this performance I could easily see why people wanted to come along and get a slice of this.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Even Flow, Once and Immortality was the next triple set of face melters. The sound for these guys was top notch. Sadly the over indulgent smoke machine killed the view of the stage and at times we could not see all the musicians which was a real shame, and the drum kit for most of the set was shrouded in smoke. But the sound was great!
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band capture the energy of the songs perfectly, and this performance was top notch so far. As I say, never having seen the originals I cant really compare the two bands in a live setting, but these guys convinced the now heaving and pumping crowd. I Got Shit, Corduroy and Sad were next on the set.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Amazing set, the band sounded great and the crowd was well into it. The always amazing Brighton crowd singing all Pearl Jam songs with a singer was spectacularly good. An awesome night was unveiling before our eyes! Chatting outside afterwards I heard one sweaty audience member saying “When I closed my eyes it felt like there was a real Pearl Jam on the stage”. You dont get better feedback than that.
Crowd control…
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The sound, the look, even the way the singer moved with the gestures and rock moves, it seemed to me that everything had come together to give us a perfect copy of the actual Pearl Jam. A great set list and seeing the singer climb onto the speakers or mix it with the crowd was very cool.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The original band it has to be said has a colossal, influential back catalogue. Pearl Jam UK did not rest on their laurels as they delivered classic tracks, one after another. More tracks fired at us and Betterman and the wonderful Rearviewmirror were up next.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Keep On Rockin’
By the time we had got to Rearviewmirror, I think I counted 14 songs. Now that would normally be about right for most bands, but Pearl Jam UK revved it up even more with State Of Love and Porch. The guys left the stage for a brief pause, and then they were back.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A quick glance at my watch, mmm about 15 to 20 minutes left. No worries about how they were going to deliver a coup de grâce to the still very energetic and enthusiastic crowd! Release, and Why Go? were the two first tunes played as an encore. Jeremy and Black quickly followed.
The energy and enthusiasm spilled from the stage and into the crowd. They seemed to be a band chuffed to bits to playing with each other for the audience. They seemed genuinely surprised from the massive warm reception from Brighton. By the time the band fired through Alive and what I can only describe as an ear melting cover of Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World, nearly three hours had gone by! The gig caught fire to that one!
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
This gig, put on by Black Rabbit Productions, just worked on so many levels. From the acoustic set which was welded with metal rock rivets into what became a great rock and roll gig. There is credibility about this band, putting aside the sheer quality of the music and at times the genius of musicians playing. They connect with the crowd and this gave everyone a complete Pearl Jam experience.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And Finally…
It’s testament to Pearl Jam UK’s appeal, attention to detail and the gorgeously tight and rocking sound, that even after this show running time, people wanted more. I think the band wanted more, they played right up to the last second of their allotted time. Pearl Jam UK wanted to give everyone a great night, and mission accomplished on that. Did they give us great value for money? Oh yes. Do we want them back in Brighton? Yes please guys!
These guys have had a pretty full itinerary, playing gigs across the UK, but tonight here in Brighton, Pearl Jam UK just landed a monster show.
Pearl Jam UK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Pearl Jam UK added a note to their Facebook page:
“Wow. Brighton. What a night! You truly humbled us tonight. You were LOUD! What a wonderful venue. What a wonderful crowd. A true honour to play for you tonight. We’ll be back.”
Pearl Jam UK are on the WWW
Pearl Jam UK are on FaceBook
Black Rabbit Productions hosted the evening. They work hard promoting live music on the south coast. They are a promotion company with years of experience putting on music shows. Tonight was superb. They have some great gigs lined up. You can find Black Rabbit Productions on the WWW
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