No one who was there will ever forget Pearl Jam's Bay area debut at Jannus Landing in the early-'90s, what with Eddie Vedder climbing and jumping into the crowd and the band ferociously pumping out songs from its debut album, Ten. It was the epitome of concert catharsis. That gig made me a fan for life. In the many years since, Pearl Jam has emerged as the only surviving band (that matters) from the so-called grunge movement. They've had their slip-ups — mostly due to experimental forays that could be called noble failures — but by and large, their recorded output has been more than laudable. (We're ready for another dose; the last PJ album, self-titled, came out in May 2006.) It's a testament to the band's staying power that it can hit the road without new music and still stir a buzz (and sell tickets). Pearl Jam shows are not as maniacal as that fabled Jannus moment, but the band plays longer and better, and has an impressive book of tunes to pull from. Vedder's voice is still a marvel, and his seething charisma has not waned.
Pearl Jam w/Kings of Leon, Thurs., June 12, 7:30 p.m., St. Pete Time Forum. $69.75. sptimesforum.com.
