Pearl Jam Gold Coast: Could your favourite song make the cut? We take a guess at the rocker’s setlist

They’re renowned for delivering a mixed up setlist that even leaves out some of their biggest hits - so ahead of Pearl Jam’s only Qld show tonight, we’ve predicted what they might play.

Lead guitarist Mike McCready (L) and singer, songwriter and guitarist Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs live on stage during the Dark Matter world tour. Picture: Jim Bennett

It’s been 10 long years since Pearl Jam performed in Australia and the band has promised fans it will be worth the wait for when their epic Dark Matter tour hits the stage on the Gold Coast tonight.

It is said to be a night filled with both hits and new songs that showcase Pearl Jam’s growth over the years while special guests are expected on selected dates throughout the tour.

The American rock band kicked off their current Dark Matter tour in May, a few weeks after the release of their 12th studio album, and as they completed the American leg in Boston in September after more than 30 shows.

American rock band Pearl Jam, whose 12th album 'Dark Matter' was released in 2024 are coming to the Gold Coast on Wednesday. Picture: Danny Clinch

The grunge legends have just finished their New Zealand leg of their world tour, and delivered a breathtaking performance to thousands of Auckland fans at Mt Smart Stadium on November 10.

The remaining members of Pearl Jam – lead singer Eddie Vedder, bassist Jeff Ament, lead guitarist Mike McCready, rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard, drummer Matt Cameron, and tour keyboardist Boom Gaspar will deliver a 26 song set list to the Gold Coast crowd at The Arts (HOTA) alongside American indie rock legends Pixies on Wednesday.

A song list shared on website setlist.fm reveal the first five songs for the New Zealand show were Release, Low Light, Once, Do the Evolution and Scared of Fear - giving a preview of what is to come for Gold Coast fans.

They’re a band renowned for having a mixed up setlist that controversially leaves off some of their biggest hits - leaving fans guessing.

With that in mind, here is our hot take on Pearl Jam’s Queensland setlist >>>

Average Pearl Jam Setlist (26 Songs)

1. Given to Fly (as openers)

2. Low Light

3. Dark Matter

4. Scared of Fear

5. Wreckage

6. Do the Evolution

7. Daughter (with Pixies’ “Monkey Gone to Heaven” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” tags)

8. Mind your Manners.

9. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

10. Dance of the Clairvoyants

11. Waiting for Stevie

12. Upper Hand

13. Jeremy

14. Lukin

15. Hard to Imagine

16. Just Breathe

17. Porch

Encore

18. Better Man (with Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and The English Beat’s “Save It for Later” tags)

19. State of Love and Trust

20. React, Respond

21. Alive

22. Rearview Mirror

23. Animal

24. Rockin’ in the Free World (Neil Young cover)

25. Once

26. Yellow Ledbetter (usually the closing song, sometimes with a tag)

Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs live on stage during the Dark Matter world tour at Madison Square Garden. Picture: Jim Bennett

It is also anticipated the triple header of major music events coming to the Gold Coast will inject more than $10m into the economy this week.

The band signalled their love for their Australian fans here last year when they released the long lost live album Give Way recorded on March 5, 1998, at Melbourne Park during their Yield tour for Records Store Day.

All five members cite a handful of Australian bands as strong influences on their early sound, from AC/DC to The Angels.

The band will go onto play at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on November 16, and Giants Stadium in Sydney on November 21.