From Salvador I flew south to Rio de Janeiro for a fun mid-June week. I previously visited Rio in November although only briefly and primarily to see Pearl Jam perform. This time I came to meet friends of old, make new friends and see the famous city’s sites.
Only a few people visited Ipanema Beach on this overcast day Continue reading
Time in Rio de Janeiro was brief and as my main focus was the Pearl Jam concert, the city’s famous sites will wait until next visit.
I was lucky enough to stay in Zoe and Ramon’s great apartment while they were away – thank you! For 1.5 days I was a short walk from Ipanema beach and even closer to the metro. Yes, that Ipanema.
The sea is visible from Zoe and Ramon’s place in Ipanema
Historically, places of worship have towered over other buildings – not for this Ipanema church
Dozens of frigate birds hovered over Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Surfer catching a way, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Every Sunday the Ipanema Hippie Market sets up, with many stalls selling all sorts of hand crafts and trinkets
Across the valley from expensive Ipanema is a favela or poor neighbourhood
Walkway across the valley from. Rio, like Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte also has many hills
Air planes at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeao Airport
Rio de Janeiro was Pearl Jam’s fifth and final Brazilian concert destination of their 2015 Latin America tour. Fittingly, the band partied tonight like it was their last night. After Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, this was also my final tour concert.
Pearl Jam performed at Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana Stadium
Maracana metro and train station
I caught the metro from Ipanema to Maracana, changing trains at Estacio. The number of people wearing rock t shirts increased with each stop until hundreds of us exited at Maracana Station. A short walk from the station was tonight’s host and one of the most famous venues in the world: Maracana Stadium.
Big Rock burger voucher
Before the concert I wanted to eat something. At the food booth I chose Big Rock, not having a clue what it was. Big Rock turned out to be a burger with two meat patties. The burger was edible but not much more. The Big Rock’s name and format is similar to the Big Mac’s so I guess this was its inspiration (if a dull burger could be inspired).
The crowd filling up the Piste Premium section in front of the stage, Maracana Stadium
Maracana crowd
After what seemed like forever, eventually the band came on stage. Following a brief stop-start, the band launched into Oceans, the only song I had not heard off Ten, their first album.
The moon shines brightly above stage
The crowd shining their mobile phones lights
Singer Eddie Vedder entering the crowd
After putting on a fantastic concert, towards the end Pearl Jam began partying. Eddie invited Edu, a Brazilian fan onto the stage to sing the start of Porch. Eddie then Jeff wrapped themselves in a Brazilian flag. Mike ended up topless and Eddie smashed a guitar.
Maracana Stadium filled with Pearl Jam fans
Maracana Stadium in its usual configuration holds over 78,000 people. I expect about that many attended this night.
The band towards the end. Topless guitarist Mike is on the left and next to him is bassist Jeff wearing the Brazilian flag
The band farewelling both the audience and Brazil
The concert finished at midnight due to a curfew but in three hours Pearl Jam still managed 34 songs. This was an awesome concert and a fitting way to end the Brazilian stint. One of the only ways it could have been better was if people refrained from smoking. It felt there was always someone in my immediate vicinity smoking, exacerbating my headache and putting a small downer on the night.
Even though this was my eleventh Pearl Jam concert, they still played five songs new to me. The band also played four songs from No Code, my favourite album. And, for my fourth consecutive concert, Pearl Jam played Rearviewmirror, the best song in the world.
In my three Brazil concerts Pearl Jam played 103 songs, including 63 unique songs (54 originals, 9 covers). This tour I saw the band play 22 songs for the first time.
In eleven concerts I have seen them play 116 unique songs (98 originals, 18 covers). Only two songs, Even Flow and Do The Evolution were played at all eleven gigs.
Rio’s Sunday night metro and rail services usually end at 11pm. Tonight, trains from Maracana were extended to get the concert audience home. I did not linger in the stadium afterwards as I wanted to ensure I got back to Ipanema. Maracana metro station heaved with people and I eventually boarded a train. At Ipanema’s General Osorio station, only exit A was open. Instead of walking a few metres from exit C to my accommodation, I enjoyed a more scenic route, arriving home after 1:30am.
Farewell Pearl Jam, you were awesome!
All the Pearl Jam concerts and songs I’ve seen: http://pjdb.net/user.php?f_user=571
The full Rio de Janeiro set-list and other fan-views: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/248021/rio-de-janeiro-brazil-fanviews-here-11-22-15