Watch Eddie Vedder & Glen Hansard Support Fan Fighting Cancer At Pearl Jam’s Deer Creek Show

One of the members of the tight-knit Pearl Jam fan community was recognized last night during the band’s concert at the Noblesville, Indiana amphitheater formerly called Deer Creek. Frontman Eddie Vedder and frequent collaborator Glen Hansard began the encore by dedicating a performance of the latter’s “Song Of Good Hope” to a fan diagnosed with cancer.

Monday was just the fifth time Pearl Jam played at the venue, which is currently called Ruoff Music Center, with their last show held in 2010. The band canceled a September 2023 show at Deer Creek due to illness.

Pearl Jam concerts frequently feature Vedder performing solo at the onset of the encore and last night Vedder recruited Hansard, who is supporting Pearl Jam on their Dark Matter Tour, to join him at the start. Vedder spoke about PJ fan Michele Mintz Menke, who is being treated for cancer.

“From everything we hear, this woman is quite incredible,” Vedder said according to SPIN. “She’s been given some challenges and she’s been battling. Not just battling, but battling with courage.”

Vedder added that he asked Hansard for one of his songs in order to properly recognize Michele Mintz Menke’s courageous struggle. Hansard obliged and accompanied Vedder on acoustic guitar for a performance of “Song Of Good Hope,” which appeared on Hansard’s 2012 debut solo album, Rhythm And Repose. Vedder has performed “Song Of Good Hope” on numerous occasions in solo settings and with Hansard, but Monday marked the first time the song appeared in a Pearl Jam setlist.

Watch video from last night’s encore below: