THIRTY six songs later and after a storming set, lasting three hours and twenty minutes, grunge rockers Pearl Jam left the stage at Leeds Arena.

Frontman Eddie Vedder, blessed with some of the best vocal cords in rock, was in his element. “This arena is the Goldilocks of venues. A perfect club crossed with an awesome stadium”, he said in gravelly tones to adoring fans.

The marathon set was a balanced mix of old and new, well known, not so well known, and with some covers thrown in too.

Vedder referenced his love for The Who’s classic Live At Leeds album and, in homage, the band played three Who songs, including the ultimate crowd-pleaser, Baba O’Riley.

But it was Pearl Jam’s extensive catalogue of own material that got the best reaction from the crowd. Once broke the ice in the early part of the set, followed shortly afterwards by Even Flow, the perfect platform for lead guitarist Mike McCready’s impressive soloing.

A thunderous rendition of Rearview Mirror left the audience baying for more. And more they got, in the form of two extended encores. These included the melancholic sing-along Black (a personal favourite) and a rare performance of Fatal, played to order after a request from a woman near the front.

Alive wooed the devoted thousands too, Vedder giving his microphone a Daltrey-esque spin as everyone sang, “Hey I, I, I, I’m still alive”. These giants of the Seattle grunge scene are also still very much alive.