Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Getting the opportunity to see Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder anywhere smaller than an arena doesn’t come more than once a decade, especially in a place as pristine as the Auditorium Theatre, which he sold out so fast, a second show was instantly added for Wednesday, February 10 that met a similar fate.

In addition to the alternative rock god, his current solo band, The Earthlings, is comprised of several famous musical friends, including drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot), keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Josh Klinghoffer (RHCP), bassist Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction), guitarist/vocalist/opening act Glen Hansard (The Swell Season, The Frames) and guitarist Andrew Watt (California Breed supergroup, Ozzy Osbourne producer).

The all-star cast, who are performing a mere handful of dates together, tore through a preview of Vedder’s aptly titled “Earthling” album (out February 11, featuring guests such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr and many of the aforementioned), along with a sample of the recently released “Flag Day” soundtrack that highlights the headliner, Hansard and other indie rockers such as Cat Power and Eddie’s daughter Olivia Vedder.

For any lesser artist, it was a lot of new material to digest, but considering his inimitable vocals were just as flawless as they were during the earliest days of grunge, not to mention the generally adrenalized (and occasionally acoustic) backers, Vedder had even those in the highest balcony hanging on every word.

There were also several familiar moments amidst the bevy of debuts, including covers of everything from R.E.M.’s “Drive” to The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun,” Pretenders’ “Precious,” Pete Townshend’s “Give Blood,” all of which could’ve easily been this band’s own given everyone’s immersive interpretations.

He even dedicated Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “Room At Top” to the fan in the very last row by the pole, which was his exact seat at the very same venue seeing Bruce Springsteen as a kid.

The million-dollar question was naturally how much, if any, Pearl Jam would make it into an ever-evolving set list, and thankfully, a few favorites appeared in all their globe-shaking glory on opening night in Chicago.

“Not For You and “Better Man” had everyone screaming along, the obscure “Dirty Frank” was an unexpected thrill, plus “Porch” found the fearless leader coming across like a dragon breathing fire, while easily wetting faithful’s appetite for this summer’s long-delayed festival and stadium trek with the whole Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gang.

In the meantime, Eddie Vedder & The Earthlings is an unmissable chapter in an always adventurous career that the Windy City was not only lucky enough to experience, but has a second chance to make a killer impression.

For additional information on Eddie Vedder, visit PearlJam.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Auditorium Theatre include Eddie Vedder (Feb. 10); Nick Cave & Warren Ellis (Mar. 20); Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren (Apr. 1); Wilco (Apr. 22-23) and Tori Amos (May 25). For additional details, visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

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