Pearl Jam members made a surprise appearance during frontman Eddie Vedder’s billed solo set on September 25 at his Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California. During the set, longtime Paul McCartney drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. played drums for the band, reportedly replacing Matt Cameron, although the group has not officially announced Abe as its new drummer.
Spin Magazine reported: “Vedder played five songs acoustic to begin the proceedings, including a tearful tribute to his dear friend, the late Glen Hansard, plus a cover of the Who’s ‘I’m One’ with Billy Idol. But after he strapped on an electric guitar and began strumming ‘Corduroy,’ the entirety of Pearl Jam then emerged onstage, including Laboriel, whose kick drum head was cleverly adorned with a large question mark.”
A Pearl Jam fan commented: “He’s the best choice. Hoping it’s real and they don’t introduce someone else on Sunday.”
Another Pearl Jam fan commented: “Not bad, not impressive. He’s what they need at this stage in their career. A reliable musician with a professional attitude.”
Another fan said about a possible new drummer: “Tonight Show Eddie dedicated Better Man to Abe and thanked Paul McCartney for letting him borrow his drummer. A ‘question mark’ remained on the bass drum throughout the show, therefore I believe they have not chosen the drummer yet.”
The surprise set was Pearl Jam’s first live performance since Matt Cameron announced he was leaving the band, and the drum seat has stayed officially vacant ever since. That uncertainty explains why the question mark on the kick drum drew as much attention as the performance itself, and why fan reaction has ranged from enthusiasm to cautious skepticism.
Matt Cameron left Pearl Jam in July 2025 after 27 years with the group, and coverage at the time described the split as amicable. The band has not publicly detailed any health issue or retirement cause behind his exit.
Cameron’s tenure was a long one. He joined Pearl Jam in 1998 and performed on every studio album the band released since 2000’s Binaural, making him the group’s longest-serving drummer after its original lineup.
Abe Laboriel Jr. arrives with a substantial resume of his own. He has been Paul McCartney’s live drummer since 2001, first working with him on Driving Rain and making his live debut with McCartney at the Concert for New York City. He also has prior ties to Eddie Vedder through Vedder’s 2022 solo album Earthling.
That existing relationship may be part of why Vedder kept the introduction low-key. Vedder informed the audience that Laboriel was there for the evening, but the band has not confirmed his permanent status.
The timing of the reveal added to the speculation. Pearl Jam’s surprise Ohana Festival set on September 25, 2026 was billed as part of Vedder’s solo appearance in Dana Point, and the band still has not made a formal announcement confirming Laboriel as Cameron’s permanent replacement. Reports indicate that Vedder introduced him as “filling in tonight,” with a second Ohana date and more clarity on the lineup expected afterward.
Pearl Jam was already scheduled to headline Ohana on Sunday, which gave fans an immediate reason to expect an answer. Bassist Jeff Ament has since spoken about how the band selected its new drummer, a sign that an official confirmation may be closer than the question mark on the kick drum suggests.
