Pearl Jam announces FleetCenter concert

Pearl Jam has announced it will play the FleetCenter on Sept. 28. The show is a warmup performance before the band joins the all-star Vote for Change tour, but the group stressed that it is not part of that tour.

Guitarist Mike McCready issued a statement yesterday: "It's been a while since we've played together, and we were all excited about coming together and playing a special show somewhere before we kicked off the Vote for Change tour on Oct. 1. Boston is one of our all-time favorite places to play."

"It's an unexpected surprise and pleasure for us," said Dave Marsden, vice president of Clear Channel Entertainment, which booked the show.

Pearl Jam tickets are $35 and $45 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticketmaster.

Death Cab for Cutie will open the show, and actor Tim Robbins's band, Gob Roberts, is expected to be added, says Pearl Jam manager Kelly Curtis. No other performers from the Vote for Change tour are expected, however.

"Pearl Jam hasn't played in a year and a half, so we just want to go some place to have fun and get it together -- and Boston has always been good to us," said Curtis.

PHISH REFUNDS: Phish has established a refund policy for fans who were turned away from the festival in Vermont. If you bought from Phish Tickets, send unripped tickets to Phish Tickets, Customer Service, PO Box 1911, Charlottesville, VA 22903. If you purchased from Ticketmaster, send the tickets to Ticketmaster, Customer Service, 4445 Corporation Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.

STEVE MORSE