Pearl Jam Close Ohana Fest With a Major Surprise

Pearl Jam turned the final night of the 2026 Ohana Festival into a major rock spectacle, with Abe Laboriel Jr. once again behind the drum kit and bluegrass star Billy Strings making a surprise appearance during the band’s 18-song headlining set.

The performance on September 27 at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California, was particularly significant because it marked Pearl Jam’s first full headlining show of 2026 and came more than a year after drummer Matt Cameron’s departure from the band.

Abe Laboriel Jr., best known for his long-running work with Paul McCartney, had already surprised fans by appearing with Pearl Jam during an earlier Ohana performance. His return for the festival-closing show immediately intensified speculation about whether he could become the band’s next permanent drummer.

However, Pearl Jam has not officially confirmed that Laboriel has joined the group permanently.

Eddie Vedder Gives Abe Laboriel Jr. a Powerful Tribute

Before the performance had even properly got underway, fans were chanting Abe Laboriel’s name. Eddie Vedder subsequently made it clear how highly the band regarded its temporary drummer.

Eddie Vedder thanked Paul McCartney for letting Pearl Jam “borrow” Laboriel and emphasized the importance of an exceptional drummer in a great rock band.

The band’s frontman then dedicated the chorus of “Better Man” to Laboriel, creating one of the night’s most emotional moments. Laboriel appeared visibly moved by the tribute.

Abe Laboriel Jr. has been Paul McCartney’s touring drummer since 2001 and has also performed with numerous major artists. His powerful, distinctive approach helped give familiar Pearl Jam songs a fresh live dynamic during the Ohana performances.

Abe Laboriel Jr. with Pearl Jam at Ohana Festival

Billy Strings Joins Pearl Jam for Neil Young Classics

The surprises did not stop with the drummer.

Billy Strings joined Pearl Jam during “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town”, before returning for a performance of Neil Young’s “Throw Your Hatred Down.” Strings later came back during the encore for “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

His appearance added another layer to an already unusual lineup, particularly during the Neil Young cover, where Strings shared the stage with Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready.

The full set also included Pearl Jam staples such as “Given to Fly,” “Daughter,” “Why Go,” “Dissident,” “Even Flow,” “Jeremy,” “Black” and “Alive.”

A Moving Tribute to Glen Hansard

The night began on a more emotional note as Vedder paid tribute to Glen Hansard, the Irish musician and longtime Ohana collaborator who died in July following a motorcycle accident.

A video montage honoring Hansard preceded “Long Road,” with Vedder describing his friend as an irreplaceable member of the Ohana family.

The tribute added a reflective opening to what eventually became a thunderous festival finale.

Pearl Jam’s Drummer Mystery Continues

Pearl Jam’s drum position has remained one of rock’s biggest lineup questions since Matt Cameron amicably left in July 2025 after 27 years with the band.

Jeff Ament previously indicated that the group had already selected a new drummer, but Pearl Jam had not publicly revealed the identity. Laboriel’s two Ohana appearances have therefore fueled intense fan speculation.

For now, however, the official picture remains unresolved.

What is clear is that Laboriel made an immediate impression. With Billy Strings dropping in, Eddie Vedder paying tribute to Hansard, and Pearl Jam delivering an 18-song set packed with classics, the band’s Ohana finale gave fans plenty to talk about long after the final notes of “Yellow Ledbetter.”