Pearl Jam has announced their first show since drummer Matt Cameron left the band in 2025. The identity of their new drummer remains unclear, based on an announcement shared on Instagram.
The band revealed their participation in the upcoming Ohana Fest. This marks a significant return to the stage amid ongoing speculation about their lineup changes.
“Ohana Fest is back this September! Celebrating 10 years of music at Doheny State Beach, the band will perform alongside Eddie & Friends, Tyler Childers, Maná, Alabama Shakes and many more,” Pearl Jam announced.
However, fans immediately began questioning who would be behind the drum kit for the performance. One fan speculated about potential drummer Richard Stuverud. The fan noted his previous work with the band.
“Will Richard Stuverud be the new drummer? He posted two photos of himself and Eddie when he replaced Matt back in 2022, almost at the same time as the festival announcement, saying how happy he was playing with Pearl Jam,” the fan commented.
Another fan directly addressed the uncertainty surrounding the band’s current lineup.
“Okay but who’s drumming?” they asked in the comments.
The upcoming Ohana Festival performance represents a major milestone for Pearl Jam as they navigate their first major show without their longtime drummer.
Wikipedia reported that Cameron announced his departure from Pearl Jam on July 7, 2025, ending his remarkable 27-year tenure with the group. Cameron joined the band in 1998 and became an integral part of their sound for nearly three decades. In his departure statement, he expressed gratitude to the band “for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.”
The drummer search has proven challenging for the Seattle-based rock legends. Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that as of April 2026, Pearl Jam still had not found a replacement drummer. Guitarist Mike McCready revealed the band’s cautious approach to the decision. He stated they are “in the process of just talking about it.”
“We don’t have one,” McCready admitted when asked about a new drummer. He explained that Pearl Jam moves “very, very slowly” before making major decisions.
The Ohana Festival is scheduled for September 25-27, 2026, in Dana Point, California. The event will mark the festival’s 10th anniversary. Pearl Jam is set to headline the final day of the event on September 27. This makes the performance particularly significant as fans eagerly await to see who will fill Cameron’s position behind the drum kit.
Richard Stuverud and Josh Klinghoffer have previously served as fill-in drummers during Cameron’s COVID-related absences between 2022-2023. However, there is no official confirmation that either will take on the permanent role for the upcoming festival performance.
