Pearl Jam Debuts New Drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. at Ohana Festival

Pearl Jam made an unexpected return to the stage on Friday night at the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California. During Eddie Vedder’s headlining solo set billed as “Eddie Vedder and Friends,” the band shocked fans by bringing out longtime Paul McCartney collaborator Abe Laboriel Jr. behind the kit.

The appearance marked Pearl Jam’s first live performance since May 2025, and offered the first public look at the group’s new lineup following the amicable departure of longtime drummer Matt Cameron in July 2025. While Stereogum reported that Vedder introduced Laboriel as “filling in” during the set rather than formally crowning him as a permanent member, the appearance fueled heavy speculation regarding the band’s future.

Inside the Surprise Ohana Festival Setlist

Vedder’s opening solo block featured “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town,” followed by his own material and covers of songs by Glen Hansard and The Who, the latter featuring a guest appearance by Billy Idol. After an acoustic rendition of “Bee Girl” with bassist Jeff Ament, the rest of the band took the stage alongside Laboriel.

The group tore through a set starting with the Vitalogy gem “Corduroy,” followed by favorites and covers:

Corduroy
Hail, Hail
Scared of Fear
Wishlist
Dark Matter
I Got Shit
Do the Evolution
Won’t Tell
Pretty Green (The Jam cover)
Green Disease
Lukin
Porch
Better Man (Encore)
Even Flow (Encore)
Sonic Reducer (Dead Boys cover, Encore)
Baba O’Riley (The Who cover, Encore)

Notable staples like “Jeremy” and “Alive” were omitted from Friday night’s performance, though with Pearl Jam scheduled to headline the festival’s tenth anniversary closing night on Sunday, the band may be holding back their biggest anthems for their official headlining slot.

Stepping Into the Open Kit

The drummer’s seat has been vacant since Matt Cameron stepped down after a 27-year tenure that began in 1998. Pearl Jam previously confirmed they had chosen a replacement while keeping the identity under wraps. Laboriel, renowned for his work backing Paul McCartney since 2001 as well as performing with Sting, Eric Clapton, and Steve Vai, also drummed on Vedder’s 2022 solo LP Earthling.

Speculation surrounding Laboriel’s status mounted earlier this year when he was absent from McCartney’s performance during Saturday Night Live’s 51st finale, with Chad Smith filling in. Whether Laboriel has permanently parted ways with McCartney or is balancing dual roles remains unconfirmed, but he appeared to settle into Pearl Jam’s catalog with ease ahead of their weekend run at Ohana.