Pearl Jam played their first full show of 2026 on Sunday at the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California, and it came with a surprise guest behind the drums. Abe Laboriel Jr. took over the kit for the entire set, and Billy Strings joined the band for three songs, including Neil Young covers during the encore. The performance was a return to live music after drummer Matt Cameron left the band last year.
The 18-song set opened with a memorial video for Glen Hansard, followed by Given to Fly and Daughter, which included snippets of U2’s “Bad” and Hansard’s “Down On Our Knees.” Why Go, React, Respond, Dissident, Even Flow, Wreckage and Running made up the early stretch before the band brought out Strings for Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town.
Strings stuck around for Throw Your Hatred Down, a Neil Young cover, and then returned for Rockin’ in the Free World during the encore. Yellow Ledbetter closed the main set, shortened for time. Alive and Setting Sun opened the encore before the Young cover.
“We’re very honored that a Beatle no less, Paul McCartney, would allow us to borrow [Abe] to help us.”
Laboriel Jr. Takes Over
Laboriel Jr. is a longtime session drummer who has worked with Paul McCartney, and he filled in for both Ohana sets. His debut came Friday during a surprise mini-set, and Sunday’s full show confirmed he was the drummer for the weekend.
Pearl Jam have not announced a permanent replacement for Matt Cameron, who left the band last year. Vedder’s words on Sunday suggested the band sees Laboriel Jr. as a serious contender, even while leaving the door open.
“We thank Abe for keeping us in the running,” Vedder said, after noting the musical adage that a great band cannot exist without a great drummer.
Billy Strings Joins the Band
Billy Strings was the other major addition to the lineup. He joined the band for Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town, Throw Your Hatred Down and Rockin’ in the Free World.
His presence gave the show a second electric guitarist. The Neil Young covers featured his participation.
The Setlist at a Glance
| Song | With |
|---|---|
| Long Road | Glen Hansard memorial video |
| Given to Fly | — |
| Daughter | U2’s “Bad”, Glen Hansard’s “Down On Our Knees” |
| Why Go | — |
| React, Respond | — |
| Dissident | — |
| Even Flow | — |
| Wreckage | — |
| Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town | Billy Strings |
| Throw Your Hatred Down | Billy Strings |
| Running | — |
| Jeremy | — |
| Black | — |
| Better Man | Chorus dedicated to Abe Laboriel Jr. |
| Alive | — |
| Setting Sun | — |
| Rockin’ in the Free World | Billy Strings |
| Yellow Ledbetter | Shortened |
Better Man Dedicated to Abe
Vedder dedicated Better Man to Laboriel Jr. during the show. He introduced the song by pointing to the chorus line “Can’t find a better man.”
According to Rolling Stone, Laboriel Jr. appeared touched by Vedder’s words, holding his hand to his chest and wiping his eyes.
What Jeff Ament Said
Bass player Jeff Ament spoke with Rolling Stone just before Ohana Fest about the search for a new drummer. He described the process as starting at the top of the list, and he noted that all four members have friends who are drummers.
“It was the first name that came up,” Ament said. “In our minds, let’s start at the top. And all of us have, like, really good friends who are drummers.”
He added that the hardest part was telling those friends they weren’t getting the job.
“The hardest part was, like, telling … my friends who are, like, killer drummers that we had a guy.”
It’s not clear if Ament was talking about Laboriel Jr. specifically. The band hasn’t confirmed whether he’s the permanent new drummer.
The Road Back to Live Shows
The Ohana sets mark the first full performances since Matt Cameron left. The band has not announced a permanent drummer, but Laboriel Jr. has played both shows.
Long Road opened with the Glen Hansard memorial video. Given to Fly and Daughter followed, with Daughter pulling in two outside songs.
Why Go, React, Respond, Dissident, Even Flow and Wreckage kept the set moving before the first Strings appearance. Running, Jeremy and Black rounded out the middle stretch before the closer.
Better Man arrived near the end, with the dedication to Laboriel Jr. alive in the room. Alive and Setting Sun opened the encore, setting up the Neil Young covers.
The show was a reminder of how much Pearl Jam can fill a set with material from across their catalog. From the early 90s to the present day, the band pulled from their songs without repeating themselves.
Pearl Jam brought back a full concert after losing their drummer, with a guest guitarist who delivered on the promise of the covers. The crowd got three Neil Young songs, a memorial video and a heartfelt dedication to the man behind the kit.
Laboriel Jr. played the entire show. Vedder’s words about the importance of a great drummer were directed at him directly.
The uncertainty remains. Pearl Jam have not said whether Laboriel Jr. is permanent. Ament’s comments suggest the search is ongoing, but the band clearly likes what they hear.
For now, the band has a drummer who can play the job. That’s enough to keep the music coming.
The full video of the Sunday set is available with the complete setlist. The show stands as proof that Pearl Jam can still put on a live performance, even when the future of the band is in question.
See the video the story is built around at Consequence.
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