Who would’ve thought this would be the one? With a history of fans being abused by local cops, parking lot hassles, curfews, etc. at this venue, it’s all the more astounding that this Friday night in Hartford produced the perfect mix of mystical, musical goo we prefer to call Pearl Jam at its finest. From start to finish, the band coalesced its six individual ingredients into one singular, spectacular unit and performed with a continuum of intensity that left everyone in a puddle of smiles and sweat by shows end.

Delivering a set list that was creative, distinguished and fantastically well paced, it’s hard not to take note of just about every song laid out here. Whether you’re a die-hard Pearl Jam fan or a newbie, you’ll be won over by the opening sequence of “Can’t Keep,” the only tour appearance of “Breakerfall,” “Last Exit,” “God’s Dice” and a completely blown up version of “All Night.” Adding more flame to the fire is the sequence of Lost Dogs B-Side “Sad,” a fist-pumping “Brain Of J,” the re-emergence of “Big Wave,” a roof-raising sing along on “In Hiding,” and a ferociously in-your-face version of “Not For You,” complete with a “Modern Girl” tag. But it’s the 1-2-3 punch of the closing to the main set that really sent everyone overboard, for after a vigorous take on “Gone,” fans were finally treated to “Immortality.” Missing in action since the show at Wembley in London last year, it was all too good to hear this gem from Vitalogy again, and this version is an especially fine one with Eddie Vedder hitting every note spot on, and Mike McCready putting every shred of heart and soul into his searing guitar leads. Topping it off with a set-closing “Porch” only left one wondering, how do you possibly follow that?

The encore sets at Hartford not only match the main set madness, but keep the musical charge in motion with another massive “Garden” and the double shot of “Leash” and “Blood.” Coming back for even more, Encore 2 gives us the treat from No Code, “Smile,” with Jeff Ament playing lead guitar and Stone Gossard on bass, followed by rousing versions of “Do The Evolution,” “Alive,” Neil Young’s “Fuckin’ Up,” and a closing “Yellow Ledbetter” with a “Little Wing” instrumental thrown on as some icing on this already incredible show. There will be no questions about this show, so we’ll just recommend the Purchase Album button at this point.