Pearl Jam Clarify Drummer Situation After Ohana Festival Shows

# What happened at Ohana

Pearl Jam played two sets at Eddie Vedder's Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California, where Abe Laboriel Jr. — known for his long tenure as Paul McCartney's drummer — filled the drum seat. These were Pearl Jam's first shows since Matt Cameron departed the band in July 2025 after 27 years.

Eddie Vedder posted a short statement on the band's social channels thanking the festival crowd and praising Laboriel Jr. He called Laboriel "obviously extraordinary at his craft" and noted the drummer's decades-long work with Paul McCartney. Vedder's wording thanked Abe for sitting in and expressed gratitude to Paul McCartney, which frames Laboriel Jr.'s role as a guest engagement rather than a formal hiring.

# Why this matters

Matt Cameron's exit created a clear vacancy: he left citing the physical and scheduling demands of Pearl Jam's long shows and tour cycles. Cameron later explained he prefers shorter, higher-intensity sets and is focusing on a 70-minute format and finishing work with Soundgarden bandmates.

Fans and media quickly speculated that Laboriel Jr. might be taking over permanently, given his visibility and experience. The band's written note and Vedder's onstage introductions, however, do not confirm that. That leaves the status of a permanent replacement unsettled.

# Conflicting signals

There's one complicating public remark: former drummer Dave Krusen — who played on Pearl Jam's debut Ten — said the band had hired a new drummer sometime before May 2026. If that hiring did occur, it raises the question why that person did not play at Ohana. The band has not explained that discrepancy.

# What's next

Pearl Jam's next scheduled shows are at the Best of Rock and Blues Festival in São Paulo, Brazil. Those dates offer the next opportunity for the band to reveal who will handle drums going forward, whether that is Laboriel Jr., the person Krusen referenced, or another musician.

# What was said, exactly

"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. 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. - Eddie"

# Short timeline

• Upcoming: Best of Rock and Blues Festival in São Paulo, Brazil — next scheduled Pearl Jam performances.

# Practical takeaway for fans

If you're tracking the band's lineup: Ohana demonstrated who can step in on short notice and perform at a high level, but the band's public comments stop short of a permanent announcement. Expect clarity (or another temporary lineup) when the band performs in Brazil or issues a direct lineup update on their official channels.