Eddie Vedder at Hammersmith Apollo

Eddie Vedder 
Glen Hansard 
Hammersmith Apollo, 30 & 31 July 2012 

Firstly, there are sadly no videos of this show up on YouTube because Eddie requested no recordings and photos (which is rare, as Pearl Jam always allow this) and people were pretty respectful of this, so the cool posters will have to do instead.

Gig memories: Pearl Jam back in 1992

So I'm seeing Eddie Vedder solo for the first time this week and I'm pretty excited. Me and Eddie go back a long way: Pearl Jam was the first gig I ever went to by myself, all the way back in February 1992 at the tiny ULU just before they became hugely famous rock stars. It's needless to say that gig probably changed my life and one day I will write a full Gig Memories post all about it. But in the meantime, rather incredibly and very generously, their support act that very night, Claytown Troupe, has recently uploaded footage of that very gig onto YouTube and it's brought back some very wonderful memories. Pearl Jam are still one of the best live acts in the world but from the clip you can see there's an youthful excitement, energy and joy that will never be matched again and it's amazing to experience it again in some small way.

Bruce Springsteen at Hyde Park

 
Hard Rock Calling 2012:
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band 
John Fogerty
Lady Antebellum
Hyde Park, 14 July 2012

I have such sore feet from standing two days in the mud and the rain! But it was completely and utterly worth it and it was certainly a unique experience seeing the Boss playing Waitin' On A Sunny Day as the rain poured from the sky.

Soundgarden at Hyde Park

 
Hard Rock Calling 2012:
Soundgarden
Iggy & The Stooges
Cold Chisel
Hyde Park, 13 July 2012

There was mud galore and it rained heavy into the night but this was a glorious show and I cannot even tell you the thrill to see and hear Soundgarden back together. And of course Iggy Pop was as wild and entertaining as ever. All in all it was completely worth standing in the pouring rain for.