Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has drawn an unexpected but heartfelt connection between Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and the punk rock shows he grew up attending in the late 1970s and early ’80s.
In a new interview with Mojo, Vedder recalled the sense of belonging he felt as a teenager among the “misfits” of his local punk scene—and said he now sees that same spirit alive at Swift’s concerts.
“They had found their tribe, they were all agreeing on something,” Vedder said. “The craziest thing was it reminded me of punk rock crowds, of being aligned with all of the misfits in our town, back in the day.”
A Shared Energy Across Genres
Vedder’s comments came after attending one of Swift’s shows with his daughter. In the lead-up to the concert, the pair joined thousands of fans in making and trading the now-famous friendship bracelets, adorned with song lyrics, titles, and positive messages.
He described the experience as “galvanising and powerful,” noting that while Swift’s pop sound differs greatly from the raw, rebellious energy of punk, the sense of unity and shared excitement is remarkably similar.
“The generosity of these young girls and boys, trading these bracelets… just acts of goodwill on these little bracelets—it reminded me of the punk rock crowds,” Vedder added.
From Punk Roots to Grunge Icon
Vedder, born in 1964 in Evanston, Illinois, was shaped musically by the birth of punk, The Who’s Quadrophenia, and his early days playing in bands like Surf and Destroy. His path eventually led to fronting Pearl Jam, one of the defining bands of the grunge era, with their debut album Ten cementing their place in rock history.
While his own career has been built on blending punk urgency with classic rock melodies, Vedder sees in Swift’s fandom the same “tribal” element that once powered underground shows—only now it’s playing out in stadiums and arenas worldwide.
Pearl Jam’s Next Chapter
Pearl Jam are preparing to release their 12th studio album, Dark Matter, on April 19, calling it “our best work.” The band has already dropped the title track and announced a massive world tour spanning Europe, Australia, North America, and the UK.
Earlier this year, Vedder also teamed up with Post Malone at a Tennessee charity concert to perform a mix of Pearl Jam and Tom Petty classics, including “I Won’t Back Down.”
For Vedder, whether it’s punk kids in a dive bar or Swifties trading bracelets in a stadium, the heart of live music remains the same: connection, community, and a shared love for the songs that bring people together.
