Pearl Jam sparked speculation about a lineup change after members of the band made a surprise appearance during frontman Eddie Vedder’s billed solo set on September 25 at his Ohana festival in Dana Point, California. Longtime Paul McCartney drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. sat behind the kit for the band, reportedly stepping in for Matt Cameron, though Pearl Jam has not officially confirmed the change.
The quote below describes how the surprise unfolded during Vedder’s set, including tributes to friends and a notable detail on Laboriel’s drum kit.
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. After he strapped on an electric guitar and began strumming “Corduroy,” the entirety of Pearl Jam emerged onstage, including Laboriel. His kick drum head was adorned with a large question mark.
Fans quickly reacted to the appearance, offering mixed takes on Laboriel as a potential permanent addition to the band.
“He’s the best choice. Hoping it’s real and they don’t introduce someone else on Sunday,” one Pearl Jam fan commented.
Another fan offered a more measured assessment. “Not bad, not impressive. He’s what they need at this stage in their career. A reliable musician with a professional attitude,” the fan said.
A third fan pointed to additional clues suggesting the band’s decision may not be finalized, referencing a separate performance and the recurring question mark on the bass drum.
“Tonight Show Eddie dedicated better man to Abe and thanked Paul McCartney for letting him borrow his drummer,” the fan said. “A ‘question mark’ remained on the base drum throughout the show therefore, I believe they have not chosen the drummer yet.”
Pearl Jam has yet to make an official statement regarding a permanent drummer change.
The Ohana appearance caps a year of uncertainty for the band. That uncertainty began with Matt Cameron’s departure and has only deepened as Pearl Jam kept fans guessing about who, if anyone, would take his place behind the kit.
Matt Cameron’s exit was amicable. It came after a 27-year run with Pearl Jam, one of the longest tenures of any drummer in the band’s history. He stepped away in July 2025, leaving the group without a full-time drummer heading into a stretch of high-profile appearances, including the Ohana festival.
The vacancy set off months of speculation among fans. Guitarist Stone Gossard fueled that chatter earlier this year when he hinted that the band had already chosen Cameron’s successor while keeping the musician’s identity under wraps.
That secrecy appears to have carried through to the Ohana set itself, where Laboriel’s drum head bore only a question mark rather than any confirmation of his role. Multiple accounts of the show indicate Vedder introduced him only as “helping out” or “filling in.” That language stops short of a permanent appointment and leaves the door open for further announcements.
Laboriel, a 55-year-old session drummer, has served in Paul McCartney’s touring band since 2001, giving him decades of experience performing alongside one of rock’s most enduring figures. That pedigree has fueled fan enthusiasm, even as the band withholds any official word on whether his role with Pearl Jam extends beyond the Ohana festival dates.
