Pearl Jam gets OK to play in Sao Paulo

10/20/2005 2:33 PM, Reuters


After weeks of doubts, Sao Paulo's mayor had agreed to allow U.S. rockers Pearl Jam to perform in the Brazilian city's biggest stadium.

More than 40,000 fans are expected for the December 2 and 3 shows at the Pacaembu stadium, which will mark the Seattle-based band's debut in Brazil.

Mayor Jose Serra had suspended shows in Pacaembu after complaints from residents of the posh neighborhood around the stadium about noise and mess.

For the concerts to go ahead, Serra set a list of demands. The show must finish at 9.45 p.m. sharp and rehearsals must take place during the day for just 30 minutes.

A special police operation will be mounted to maintain security and the organizers must clean up the stadium and the surrounding streets.

Pearl Jam's Latin America tour starts on November 22 in Santiago, Chile. It then goes to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and ends in Mexico City on December 9. In Brazil, the band will also appear in Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro.

The band emerged from the grunge scene in Seattle in the 1990s and still tours constantly, filling stadiums with ease.

Earlier this month, fans paid $1,000 a ticket to see them play a special Hurricane Katrina benefit with Robert Plant at Chicago's House of Blues.