Ben Harper and Relentless7 will open for Pearl Jam this fall. Pearl Jam has recently confirmed nine shows in support of its new studio album _ Backspacer_. In an unorthodox move, the album will be released on Sunday, September 20 through Target, Pearl Jam’s own Ten Club and independent retailers, as well as online. Internationally, the album will be available beginning on September 21, 2009 via Universal/Island Records.

Pearl Jam will then hit the road Ben Harper and Relentless7 for a series of shows, beginning with a two-night run at Seattles Key Arena on September 21 and 22. The tour will then veer south for shows at Los Angeles Gibson Amphitheatre on September 30 and October 1 and 6-7 and San Diegos Viejas Arena on October 9. Pearl Jam will then close this leg of its tour without Harper and Relentless7 at Philadelphias The Spectrum on October 28 and 30.

Harper first met the members of Pearl Jam while touring Europe in the 1990s. He has remained close with the group both on and off the stage through his regular sit ins and shared love of skateboarding and surfing.