It can't be a coincidence that Pearl Jam chose four dates in our country; there's a special relationship the band has with our country that goes beyond the usual phrases, see the bootleg from Verona, see the relationship Eddie Vedder has always had with the fans.
2006, the first date of the Italian tour in Bologna, PalaMalaguti. After the ritual opening by the talented My Morning Jacket, who rush through their set leaving little impact, our "heroes" arrive and all sorts of memories flood in, years spent in a room shouting with the stereo blasting, shouting aloud "I'm still alive..", believing in the salvific power of rock, in its sacred fire. There they are, on stage, still the same, pure and raw. They have survived with us in a world that is increasingly going mad. They're still here, and that's enough. Eddie starts with "Elderly Woman..." and the arena almost comes down. Eddie thanks and indulges the crowd, thanks everyone and it's like meeting an old friend, a celebration, a return "...we're back after six years and this is the first time in Bologna". Then they continue with a fast pace, diving into their repertoire with a predominance of songs from "Ten" (Alive, Black, Go Home, Even Flow) and the inevitable "Life Wasted", "World Wide Suicide", "Marker in the Sand" taken from the latest "Pearl Jam". Mike McReady hops around like a sprite, in top form while Stone Gossard remains more reserved. Matt Cameron is as solid as ever, and Jeff Ament is in good spirits. You can't help but love these guys who, after two encores, say goodbye to an almost packed arena saying "very good".

See you next time guys and thanks for existing.

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