Pearl Jam on Austin City Limits Sat.

Meanwhile, Lance Armstrong is chillin' with the Avett Brothers at ACL...

By Blurt Staff

While Pearl Jam was in Austin in early October to headline the closing night of the Austin City Limits Festival, they also did a taping for the ACL television show - spotlighting their new Backspacer album before 320 lucky people. The episode is set to air on PBS this Saturday, Nov. 21.

Accompanied occasionally by an Austin based 4-piece string section (Will Taylor - viola, Leah Zeger - violin, Jamie Desautels - violin, Shawn Sanders - cello) and joined once by fellow ACL Season 35 performer Ben Harper, Pearl Jam delivered a set that was both inspired and precise, playing songs from their new album alongside older tracks. Clearly enjoying the intimate experience, Eddie Vedder likened the ACL studio and it's renowned acoustics to "...driving an old Buick."

"I sometimes wonder how many more ‘firsts' can there be, but I never dreamed I'd see the day that Pearl Jam would appear on the ACL stage, especially considering they seldom do TV," said ACL producer Terry Lickona. "This will go down as one of our all-time classic shows, and one of the best Pearl Jam performances ever captured. There are some musical and emotional highs that gave me goose bumps."

Pearl Jam on ACL set list: Just Breathe, The End, The Fixer, Johnny Guitar, Amongst the Waves, Unthought Unknown, Army Reserve, Do the Evolution, Lukin, Red Mosquito (with Ben Harper), Inside Job, Porch

The 35th anniversary season of Austin City Limits has been a banner one, featuring performances - some not yet aired - by Them Crooked Vultures, Allen Toussaint, Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle, Dave Matthews Band, Elvis Costello, Kenny Chesney,  Madeleine Peyroux, Esperanza Spalding, Heartless Bastards, Mos Def and The Avett Brothers.

In fact, the Avetts just taped theirs the other night and were apparently hanging out with none other than Lance Armstrong beforehand, which prompted the following Twitter tweets from Armstrong:

"Having dinner at the house w/ @theavettbros. Cool guys. Can't wait to see them tape @acltv tonight."

"@acltv seeing @theavettbros. Hands down the best show I've seen here."

Well, we can't wait to see the episode, Lance...

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SEASON 35 BROADCAST SCHEDULE
(check local listings for exact dates and times)

October 3, 2009 Dave Matthews Band
October 10, 2009 Ben Harper and Relentless7
October 17, 2009 Kenny Chesney
October 24, 2009 Andrew Bird / St. Vincent
October 31, 2009 M. Ward / Okkervil River
November 7, 2009 Elvis Costello / Band of Heathens
November 14, 2009 Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel
November 21, 2009 Pearl Jam
January 9, 2010 Allen Toussaint
January 16, 2010 K' Naan / Mos Def
January 23, 2010 The Avett Brothers / Heartless Bastards
January 30, 2010 Steve Earle / Kris Kristofferson
February 6, 2010 Esperanza Spalding / Madeleine Peyroux
February 13, 2010 Them Crooked Vultures