Pearl Jam took to the stage for a headline set at Mad Cool festival in Madrid, Spain, and frontman Eddie Vedder joked with the audience about their long-standing history playing in the country, dating back to 1992. Despite the band being around for over three decades, it became clear early on in the set that this was set to be something special, with fans showing an exceptional level of excitement and passion, which was reciprocated throughout the performance.
The energy within the set was palpable, and it appeared that a newfound sense of gratitude had underpinned the whole performance. Having recently cancelled shows in London and Berlin due to a “near-death experience,” the band expressed their thanks to be alive and performing, with classics such as ‘Why Go,’ ‘Black,’ and ‘Yellow Ledbetter’ being met with thunderous applause. However, tracks from their latest album, ‘Dark Matter’, also gained attention and gave the setlist a fresh lease of life.
Mike McCready delivered commanding solos with his guitar behind his head, while Jeff Ament’s bass mesmerized the crowd and left its mark throughout the site. Vedder also engaged with the crowd, breaking into laughter as he thanked them for their support in Spanish, admitting that he was unable to decipher his own handwriting on his notes. All in all, this performance proved that Pearl Jam’s deep connection with their Spanish fans is by no means shallow, and they have once again, delivered a unique performance that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
NME was the official media partner of Mad Cool festival
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