Abe Laboriel Jr. Sits In With Pearl Jam During Ohana Festival Surprise Set
Abe Laboriel Jr. played drums with Pearl Jam on Friday at Ohana Festival during a surprise set billed as Eddie Vedder and Friends. The group opened with songs including "Corduroy," "Hail Hail," and "Dark Matter." Vedder told the crowd Laboriel was filling in that night, and it remains unclear whether he will become the permanent replacement for Matt Cameron.
Pearl Jam had kept quiet about its drum chair since Matt Cameron left in July 2025, ending a 27-year tenure. The group used its first live appearance back, at Ohana Fest in Dana Point, California, to answer the question. The Friday set had been advertised under Eddie Vedder's name with friends, but became a Pearl Jam performance.
Abe Laboriel Jr., known for his long work with Paul McCartney, took the stool. Vedder described him as a fill-in for that night. The set included "Corduroy," "Hail Hail," "Scared of Fear," "Wishlist," and "Dark Matter." Laboriel had also played on Vedder's 2022 solo record Earthling. Pearl Jam's Sunday Ohana headline slot is their only other 2026 date listed.
Pearl Jam fans and festival audiences may treat this guest turn as a clue about the band's next chapter, fueling online speculation and media coverage. Laboriel's visibility could grow among rock listeners, especially given his McCartney ties and prior work with Vedder. If he stays, expectations around Pearl Jam's live sound and touring plans may shift; if not, the drum question could linger. The moment may mainly affect fan communities, concertgoers, and industry observers rather than society at large.