Live Review: Pearl Jam and Deep Sea Diver at The Kia Forum

On the first night of their two night stand at the Kia Forum, alternative rock legends Pearl Jam — accompanied by Deep Sea Diver — put on a memorable show.

Openers Deep Sea Diver introduced themselves, expressing gratitude to not only Pearl Jam for bringing them along on their tour, but to their fans for arriving early to listen to songs from their Impossible Weight album. The band opened with “Lights Out” and “Wide Awake” from their 2016 Secrets album, before moving on to “Shattering the Hourglass.” The band’s lead singer, Jessica Dobson, showed off excellent musicianship on vocals, guitar and keys as well. On stage sat a box labeled the “guitar solo box” which left audience members wondering when someone would stand on it and how the solos would sound. Finally, Dobson stood on top of the box while flaunting a guitar solo in their closing song “Eyes Are Red (Don’t Be Afraid).”

As the night went on, Pearl Jam’s loving fans filled seat after seat in Inglewood’s iconic stadium before lead singer Eddie Vedder welcomed the audience with “Oceans,” from their 1991 Ten album.

Reminiscent of his youth and his own memories associated with the Forum, Vedder told a story of his first time at the Forum with his own father at a Los Angeles Lakers game. Pointing up to a set of nosebleed seats, Vedder described how he could hardly see the court but how special he felt to be there. Following that, he told the audience that he had found a father and son attending the concert in a set of similar nosebleed seats and had decided to move them down to the pit and gifted a lucky young boy a collaborative Lakers and Pearl Jam basketball. Cameras panned in on the father and son in the audience and it was evident just how cool of an experience this was for the both of them. Dedicated to them, the band broke out into “Off He Goes” from their No Code album.

From “Dark Matter” to “Waiting for Stevie,” lead guitarist, Mike McCready, and bassist, Jeff Ament, curated a space of audacious riffs and brazen basslines. The two, working alongside drummer Matt Cameron, reinvented each song that they performed seamlessly. As with their song, “Even Flow,” the band extended their already five minute song to over eight minutes, simply with solos.

Cruising through classics like “Why Go” and “In My Tree,” Vedder recounted that his second visit to the form at age fifteen was to see Pink Floyd’s The Wall tour. Due to an unfortunate case of forgetfulness on his friend’s part, his ticket was left at home in San Diego so he listened to songs like “Another Brick in the Wall” from Pink Floyd’s The Wall album, in the Forum parking lot. After this, Pearl Jam subsequently incorporated the incredible track into “Daughter” from the Vs. album.

Before closing out the night, Vedder paid homage to a late fan, Michele Castrellon, by playing “Faithful” in hopes that her spirit would be present with them on stage.

Shifting gears, the band returned to the stage for an encore performance with songs like “Just Breathe,” “State of Love and Trust,” and “Setting Sun” before bidding farewell for the night.

All in all, Pearl Jam and Deep Sea Diver led a night filled with heartfelt messages, inspiring stories, and memorable moments in relation to each song that they performed.

Setlist

Deep Sea Diver:

1. Lights Out
2. Wide Awake
3. Wishing
4. Shattering The Hourglass
5. Impossible Weight
6. Eyes Are Red (Don’t Be Afraid)

Pearl Jam:

1. Oceans
2. Come Back
3. Off He Goes
4. Why Go
5. Scared Of Fear
6. React, Respond
7. Wreckage
8. Got Some
9. Dark Matter
10. Daughter (with Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ (Part 2) Tag)
11. In My Tree
12. Waiting For Stevie
13. Even Flow
14. Upper Hand
15. Save You
16. Faithful
17. Rearviewmirror (with Andrew Watt)

Encore:

1. Just Breathe
2. Running
3. State Of Love And Trust
4. Something Special
5. Leash
6. Alive
7. Baba O’Riley (The Who Cover)
8. Setting Sun

Photo Credit: Alyssa Fried