On May 16, Pittsburgh belonged to Pearl Jam. Kicking off the first night of their “Dark Matter Tour” at PPG Paints Arena, the band delivered a high-octane, emotionally charged performance that reminded fans why they’ve remained one of the most vital acts in rock music for over three decades.

The night began with a fierce opening set by Australian punk-rock group Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. The all-female band wasted no time establishing their presence, unleashing an energy that quickly won over the crowd. Their gritty sound and rebellious stage presence served as the perfect launchpad for what was to come.

As the house lights dimmed and the first notes of “Footsteps” rang out, a wave of electricity surged through the arena. The crowd erupted, cheering as Eddie Vedder and company emerged on stage. From that opening moment, it was clear this wouldn’t be any ordinary show, it was a full-bodied experience, equal parts nostalgia and raw power.

Over the next two hours, Pearl Jam guided the crowd through a thrilling setlist that combined stadium anthems like “Corduroy,” “Even Flow,” and “Daughter” with deeper cuts such as “Sleight of Hand” and the rarely played “Got to Give.” One particularly memorable moment saw Vedder hand over control of the setlist to a fan in the crowd, who requested “Grievance”—a fiery selection from the band’s 2000 album Binaural. The band obliged without missing a beat.

The night wasn’t without drama however. In the middle of “Jeremy,” Vedder spotted trouble in the crowd and immediately brought the show to a halt. Calling for medics and ensuring the fan received attention, he stood calmly at the front of the stage until receiving a thumbs-up from the crew. With the crisis averted, the band restarted the song, earning a massive cheer of gratitude and respect from the audience.

If the main set was a rollercoaster of emotions, the encore was the ride’s explosive finale. With nine songs packed into the final stretch—including “Black,” “Alive,” and their adrenaline-pumping cover of “Baba O’Riley“—Pearl Jam left it all on the stage. The crowd matched them beat for beat, singing along as though the arena itself was alive.

As the lights came back up, one thing was clear: Pearl Jam didn’t just play Pittsburgh—they owned it. Night one of the “Dark Matter Tour” was a reminder of what live music is meant to be: powerful, unpredictable, and deeply human.

Setlist:

1. Footsteps
2. Low Light
3. Given to Fly
4. Mind Your Manners
5. React, Respond
6. Corduroy
7. Dark Matter
8. Wreckage
9. Even Flow
10. Slight of Hand
11. Severed Hand
12. Upper Hand
13. Grievance
14. Daughter
15. Jeremy
16. Got to Give
17. Porch
18. My City of Ruins
19. Man of the Hour
20. Comatose
21. Do the Evolution
22. Black
23. State of Love and Trust
24. Alive
25. Baba O’Riley
26. Indifference

TEEN JESUS AND THE JEAN TEASERS | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

PEARL JAM | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | X