Watch: Pearl Jam Debut “Song Of Good Hope” in Tribute to Fan
Photo Credit: Geoff Whitman
On Aug. 26, during Pearl Jam’s set at Noblesville, Ind.’s Ruoff Music Center, Eddie Vedder performed a rendition of Glen Hansard’s “Song Of Good Hope” alongside Hansard himself in honor of a fan. Vedder dedicated the stripped-back encore performance to longtime supporter Michele Menke, who he spotted in the audience, in recognition of her ongoing fight against cancer. Though Vedder has played the track from 2012’s Rhythm and Repose during solo stagings before, the Aug. 26 performance marked its first showing at a Pearl Jam event.
Given the relevance of the track’s lyrics, Vedder brought opening act Hansard out on acoustic guitar for his own “Song Of Good Hope,” making for an inspiring moment for everyone in attendance. Calling Menke “quite incredible,” Vedder elaborated on his decision, sharing with SPIN that despite being “given some challenges,” Menke’s been “battling with courage.” Together, in her honor, the touring partners sang “And I know where you’ve been / Has really left you in doubt / Of ever finding a harbor” before charging the crowd with the song’s final phrase: “May the song of good hope, walk with you through everything.”
Following the moving duet, Vedder continued the encore slot with another fan request, “Lightning Bolt,” also a tour debut, and the third delivery of the track in five years. The musician dedicated the 2013 track to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, singing “She’s rock ‘n roll / She’s a lightning bolt” with great reverence for the WNBA team and their all-star player. Renditions of “Corduroy,” “Setting Sun,” “Alive” followed the high-spirited tribute, leading into by The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” and a final “Yellow Ledbetter” to close out the homage-filled evening.
Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter World Tour continues on Aug. 29 at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, and continues through November. For tickets and more information, go to pearljam.com/tour.
