Pearl Jam Debuts Abe Laboriel Jr. on Drums in Surprise Ohana Festival Appearance

Pearl Jam introduced their new drummer during a surprise appearance at the Ohana Festival in Southern California on Friday night. Performing under the billing “Eddie Vedder and Friends,” the band took the stage with longtime Paul McCartney collaborator Abe Laboriel Jr. behind the kit.

The group opened their set with “Corduroy,” marking the first song performed with Laboriel, before rolling into fan favorites “Hail Hail,” “Scared of Fear,” and “Wishlist.” The reveal caught the beachside crowd off guard; many had anticipated the announcement during Pearl Jam’s scheduled headlining set on the festival’s final day.

The drummer position has been vacant since Matt Cameron’s amicable departure in July 2025. While the band had confirmed a replacement had been chosen, they kept the identity under wraps until the performance.

Earlier this week, Rolling Stone highlighted Laboriel as a top contender for the role, citing his technical prowess, friendship with Vedder, and his guest appearance on the frontman’s 2022 solo album, Earthling. Beyond his extensive tenure with McCartney, Laboriel—who also contributes backing vocals—has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, including Super Bowl halftime shows and a command performance for Queen Elizabeth.

Speculation regarding Laboriel’s availability intensified in May after he was notably absent from McCartney’s performance during the Saturday Night Live 50th-anniversary special, where Chad Smith filled in. It remains unconfirmed whether Laboriel has parted ways with McCartney or intends to balance duties with both acts. For the moment, he appears set to remain with Pearl Jam for the duration of the festival weekend.

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