Pearl Jam Announces Australian & New Zealand Tour 2009

Pearl Jam & Liam Finn

Pearl Jam announced today that they will play a series of outdoor shows in November in Australia and New Zealand, in support of their new album, Backspacer.

Pearl Jam will be returning to Australia for the first time in 3 years, bringing with them their old touring mates, Ben Harper and Relentless7 and Liam Finn, to play for one night only in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Christchurch. Tickets for all shows go on sale on Monday 17 August.

Pearl Jam is one of the most influential live bands of the modern era. Beginning with their iconic debut album, Ten, in 1991 and continuing through to today, the quintet have consistently combined the perfect amalgam of punk aesthetics with anthemic, classic rock sounds, and in the process have created one of the most respected catalogues in rock history. For the past 18 years, Pearl Jam has remained a relevant cultural and political force, having completed countless international tours and selling over 60 million records worldwide.

Scheduled for release in Australia and New Zealand on Friday, 18 September, the band‘s ninth studio album, Backspacer, will be available in both countries before the rest of the world. The first single, The Fixer, went to Australian radio on 21 July and was the No. 1 most added song to radio that week.

It‘s been 3 years since Pearl Jam last toured Australia and New Zealand and their Australian fans clearly haven‘t forgotten them with two songs appearing in Triple J‘s recent Hottest 100 of All Time list (Alive at No. 24 and Better Man at No. 39).

Appearing with Pearl Jam, and no stranger to Australian shores, is Ben Harper and Relentless 7, who were last here in April of this year to headline the 20th Anniversary East Coast Blues and Roots Festival and perform a one-off, sold out headline show in Sydney.

In the current sea of disposable, throwaway pop artists, Ben Harper and Relentless 7 are making timeless rock music with a cohesive collection that is as raw and unrelenting, as it is arrestingly haunting and emotional. Any preconceptions in regards to a ― Ben Harper sound should be thrown out altogether as Ben Harper and Relentless7 get their rock chops on for these stadium shows.

Opening all shows will be New Zealand‘s own Liam Finn. Having played his own sold-out shows on every continent, opened for the The Black Keys and Eddie Vedder, and performed at the All Tomorrow‘s Parties‘ ATP Vs The Fans Part II: The Fans Strike Back Festival in UK earlier this year, Liam will join the tour in support of the worldwide release his new EP, Champagne In Seashells, featuring Long Way to Go, on 4 September, 2009.

Currently preparing for a short tour of New Zealand and Australia, Liam said ―...Pearl Jam are one of the most genuine bands around today and have always been committed to their non-compromising attitude towards making real rock n roll. It's an honour to share the stage with them.

The shows announced will be  ̳one-show-only‘ concerts and promise to be THE must-see rock events of the summer season!

Promoter Chugg Entertainment‘s Executive Chairman Michael Chugg added, ―This is such an exciting line up. Pearl Jam are one of the greatest rock bands of this generation and they are still very much in their prime. It’s fantastic to be able to present around four hours of live music for such as great price; that’s testament to Pearl Jam and their continued passion for giving their fans something special for an affordable ticket.‖

Tickets for all Australian and New Zealand shows will go on sale at 9am on Monday, 17 August 2009, and details of ticket outlets for each show are below.

Details on a special, limited ticket pre-sale for current, active members of Pearl Jam's Ten Club is forthcoming and will be announced prior to Pearl Jam's Australia/New Zealand tour onsale.

Pearl Jam - 2009 Australian Tour Dates

• Saturday, 14 November, 2009 - Members Equity Stadium, Perth

• Tuesday, 17 November, 2009 - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

• Friday, 20 November, 2009 - Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

• Sunday, 22 November, 2009 - Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

• Wednesday, 25 November, 2009 - QSAC Stadium, Brisbane

• Friday, 27 November, 2009 - Mt Smart, Auckland, New Zealand

• Sunday, 29 November, 2009 - AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand

Tickets available from Ticketek: www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 842538