Pearl Jam surprised the crowd at Ohana Fest on Friday night by pulling Abe Laboriel Jr. onto the stage with Eddie Vedder. The drummer, who has worked with Paul McCartney, joined Vedder on the beachside set for a run of familiar hits.
The set came as a surprise to everyone watching. Vedder opened the performance with “Corduroy,” then moved through “Hail Hail,” “Scared of Fear,” and “Wishlist.” There was no announcement that Laboriel was coming.
Drummer’s Story
Laboriel has built his name as a longtime collaborator with McCartney, a role that has taken him to some of the world’s biggest stages. He has done background vocals on his own work, and his resume includes appearances at Super Bowl halftime shows and in front of Queen Elizabeth.
He has a direct connection to Vedder too. He guested on the frontman’s 2022 solo LP, Earthling, and Rolling Stone named him among its top picks for possible replacements for Pearl Jam’s sixth drummer. The magazine noted his “ferocious skills” and his friendship with Vedder.
Missing Set
Earlier this week, fans began to speculate that something was up. Laboriel was missing from McCartney’s performance during Saturday Night Live’s 51st finale, and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith filled in instead.
That absence raised questions about whether Laboriel had split from McCartney. The new Pearl Jam appearance suggests he may not have — he is simply doing double duty with two crews at once.
Set Order
The four-song run kept the set tight and centered on fan favorites, with Vedder opening with “Corduroy” and running through “Hail Hail,” “Scared of Fear,” and “Wishlist.”
| Song | Position in Set |
|---|---|
| “Corduroy” | Opened |
| “Hail Hail” | Second |
| “Scared of Fear” | Third |
| “Wishlist” | Closed |
His friendship with Vedder.
Open Slot
Pearl Jam’s sixth drummer has been vacant since Matt Cameron’s amicable departure from the band in July 2025. The group has previously confirmed that it has chosen a new member, but kept things under wraps. It remains unclear if Laboriel has officially joined the band, and Pearl Jam has not made any official statement on it.
Laboriel’s guest appearance does not settle that question. The band brought him on for the night, but the band has not confirmed anything beyond that single show.
What Comes Next
For now, it looks like Laboriel might be on the West Coast with his new crew all weekend. Whether he has split from McCartney or will be pulling double duty with Pearl Jam has yet to be confirmed.
The performance at Ohana was a crowd-pleaser, and it gives fans a reason to watch the next set with extra attention. Whether the surprise continues depends on what Laboriel chooses next.
Verdict
This was a fun surprise. A guest drummer on a festival stage is the kind of moment that makes a crowd forget the baggage of an open drum slot. Vedder brought Laboriel on, the set was short and sweet, and the crowd had no reason to expect the appearance.
The only thing missing was an official statement from the band. That could come tomorrow, or it could not. For now, the show stands on its own as a pleasant surprise, and nothing more.
Source material: “Pearl Jam Surprise Perform With Drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. at Ohana Festival,” Rolling Stone.
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