“Hard Sun” - Eddie Vedder and all guests (Marketa Irglova, Glen Hansard, Jake Clemons)

If there were some stops that Eddie Vedder didn’t pull on this Saturday in Philadelphia, they were hard to find. First opener Glen Hansard brought out an especially surprising guest, Marketa Irglova for a song (his partner in crime from Swell Season and former lover who was decidedly NOT on this tour with him as he was appearing solo as Vedders opener). Later, Marketa joined Vedder for his first performance this tour of the classic “Tonight You Belong to Me” and she’d appear yet again for the finale. Glen took the stage with Vedder mid set for an even more polished version of “Falling Slowly” and several other songs.

But perhaps the biggest surprise was the heartfelt speech on the loss of Clarence Clemons (of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band) which ended with the announcement that Glen’s good friend was none other than Clarence’s nephew Jake - who had just performed “Amzing Grace” at Clarence’s funeral less than a week ago. Jake took the stage and the truly unique moments began to flow as Eddie, Glen and Jake performed together, Jake hitting some very Clarence-like riffs on his sax. (Appropriately, all of this happened at the Tower Theatre, where in 1974 Bruce Springsteen first introduced his E Street band to the world.)

Last and certainly not least the entire guest list came out for the big finale of, “Hard Sun.” The guitar tech and backstage staff had worn lab coats all night and this time everyone on stage donned them as well. It is this moment that’s captured partially here in audio and in this photo:

An incredible night of music. In fact, an incredible night for music. 

-Dean