Pearl Jam’s “Dark Matter Tour 2025” arrived at Raleigh’s Lenovo Center on May 11, 2025, as part of a concise 10-show U.S. run supporting their twelfth studio album, Dark Matter (2024). The album, produced by Andrew Watt, marks a return to the band’s collaborative roots and has garnered three Grammy nominations: Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance for its title track. The current lineup—Eddie Vedder (vocals, rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Jeff Ament (bass), and Matt Cameron (drums)—delivered a setlist blending new material like “Running” and “Wreckage” with classics such as “Alive” and “Jeremy.” Fans were particularly enthusiastic about the inclusion of “Upper Hand,” a standout track from the new album. Pearl Jam’s commitment to social causes continues through their Vitalogy Foundation, which has raised over $50 million for issues including climate change, homelessness, and disease research. Additionally, frontman Eddie Vedder co-founded the EB Research Partnership, supporting research for Epidermolysis Bullosa. The band’s official website, pearljam.com, offers a range of merchandise, including exclusive tour posters and apparel.

Pearl Jam

Opening the evening were Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, a punk rock band from Canberra, Australia. The quartet—Anna Ryan (vocals/guitar), Scarlett McKahey (guitar/vocals), Jaida Stephenson (bass), and Neve van Boxsel (drums)—brought their energetic sound to the stage. Their discography includes the EP Pretty Good for a Girl Band (2022), which won Best Independent Punk Album or EP at the 2023 AIR Awards, and their debut studio album I Love You (2023), which peaked at number 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The band’s official website, teenjesusandthejeanteasers.net, features their music and merchandise, though many items are currently sold out due to high demand.

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

An inside detail that fans appreciated was the inclusion of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers as openers, a choice reflecting Pearl Jam’s support for emerging artists.