Eddie Vedder told the crowd at Ohana Fest that Abe Laboriel Jr. was the new drummer for Pearl Jam. He was wrong. Or at least, that’s what Vedder’s statement says.
Over the weekend, Vedder’s set at California’s Ohana Fest turned into a Pearl Jam performance with Laboriel Jr. behind the kit. It was the band’s first gig since Matt Cameron left after 27 years last year. Vedder introduced the new drummer on Friday, the first day, and dedicated “Better Man” to him. Onstage, he said the move was official. The statement says otherwise.
What Vedder Said Onstage
Onstage, Vedder framed the announcement as a simple fact. “There’s an old musical adage that I do believe, and that is that you cannot be — and we’ve had the best — but you cannot be a great band without a great drummer,” he said. “So, we thank Abe for keeping us in the running.”
The crowd cheered. Rolling Stone reported the moment, noting that fans were fooled into thinking Laboriel Jr. was the permanent replacement.
What Vedder Said Today
Today, Vedder posted a statement that tells a slightly different story. He thanks Laboriel Jr. for sitting in, but he doesn’t call him the new drummer. He calls him a sitter-in.
“Hello good humans,” Vedder begins. “Just a quick note on this Monday morning to thank each and everyone who came out to Ohana Fest this year. Three days of great groups, all of whom were further energized by the pumped up vibes from a perfect crowd. You all made our tenth year so special and we are GRATEFUL.”
He extends his appreciation to Laboriel Jr. directly. “Also wanted to extend our further appreciation to Abe Laboriel Jr. sitting in on drums for PJ. It was a joy to play with him, and he’s obviously extraordinary at his craft. The man works and PLAYS hard.”
Vedder also thanked Paul McCartney, whose band Laboriel Jr. has worked with for decades. “It is no wonder he’s been with the ultimate Maestro Paul McCartney and his mind blowing band for decades. Thank you so much for this weekend Abe. And thank YOU Paul. We owe you big time.”
The Sets Vedder Joined
Vedder didn’t just play Pearl Jam’s shows. He jumped into other acts across the weekend. The full list includes:
- Bad Religion, where he joined them on “American Jesus,” the 1993 track he originally contributed backing vocals to
- Pixies, where he joined them for “Wave Of Mutilation”
- Stephen Wilson Jr., where he joined him on the Temple Of The Dog track “Hunger Strike”
The Billy Strings Set
Friday’s Eddie Vedder & Friends set turned into a Pearl Jam reveal, with Billy Idol and Simon Good joining before the band was named. During Pearl Jam’s headlining set last night, Billy Strings came out for Vedder’s solo acoustic “Elderly Woman” and then joined the full band for two Neil Young covers.
The Neil Young covers were a surprise addition to a set that already featured a guest guitarist. Strings came out bravely without protective gear during Vedder’s solo acoustic song, then stuck around for the full-band Neil Young numbers.
The Contrast Between Stage and Statement
The contrast between Vedder’s onstage announcement and his statement is the whole story. Onstage, he presented Laboriel Jr. as the new drummer. In the statement, he presents him as a sitter-in.
It’s a classic case of a performer having one conversation with the audience and another with the press. Vedder wants the crowd to feel excited about the future of the band. He wants the press to know what’s actually happening.
Why Vedder Might Have Done It
There are a few reasons Vedder might have framed things this way onstage. First, the crowd needed to know who was playing. Second, Laboriel Jr. was excellent. Third, Vedder didn’t want to announce a permanent hire at a festival.
Laboriel Jr. has been working with Paul McCartney for decades. That’s a high bar to clear, and Vedder made sure everyone knew it. The statement thanks McCartney directly, which suggests Vedder sees the gig as a favor from the Maestro himself.
What Happens Next
Pearl Jam hasn’t announced a permanent replacement for Matt Cameron. Vedder’s statement doesn’t say one exists. But the band is back on the road, and Laboriel Jr. is sitting in for now.
The band’s tenth year at Ohana Fest ended with a statement that clarified what happened. The crowd was perfect.
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday | Abe Laboriel Jr. introduced and “Better Man” dedicated to him |
| Saturday | Eddie Vedder & Friends set with Billy Idol and Simon Good |
| Sunday | Pearl Jam headlining set with Billy Strings |
| Monday | Vedder posts statement |
The Verdict
Vedder fooled the crowd into thinking Laboriel Jr. was the new drummer. He didn’t fool anyone with a brain. The statement clarifies the situation.
The music was good. The collaborations were fun. The crowd was perfect.
Pearl Jam is back, and so is Eddie Vedder’s sense of humor. The statement doesn’t say what comes next for the band, but it does say what happened over the weekend. And that’s enough for now.
See the video the story is built around at Stereogum.
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