Photo Credit: Stephen Bloch

On Thursday evening, Peal Jam took its current Dark Matter World Tour to Chicago’s Wrigley Field for the onset of a two-night run at the referred baseball stadium turned concert location. During the main frame, the band paid tribute to the recently deceased Phil Donohue and the late historian Howard Zinn, following the famed author of A People’s History’s late-August birth date during the band’s tour debut of “Down.” In addition to a bust out, the night’s most talked-about moment coincided with the arrival of an audience member who took the stage for a duet of “Won’t Tell” during the encore. 

Before the fan arrival, Pearl Jam began with seasoned pulls, well-established material, and banking off plays from albums such as Ten, Binaural, Vs. and others. The night’s start functioned like a wave making its way toward land, crashing with force, doubling as instrumental prowess, particularly during the midset run of “Daughter,” which piqued during the band’s nod to Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2.” The night continued with already-mentioned “Down.” On the other side of the 2002 release, the band blew the dust off “U,” played for the first time since Sept. 4, 2018. 

Boom Gaspar and Josh Klinghoffer stepped out with Vedder for the night’s encore opener, “Just Breathe,” followed by a stunning solo delivery of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” by just the bandleader. Fan favorite “State of Love and Trust” arrived by Vedder welcomed a fan to the stage, Abby, after telling the audience: “There’s a woman in the front row who says she can sing.” The pair dueted the Dark Matter originator, bringing new meaning to the fan experience at a Pearl Jam concert. 

Watch a fan-shot clip below.