Pearl Jam Welcomes Abe Laboriel Jr. as New Drummer and Billy Strings as Surprise Guest at Ohana Festival Finale

The sun dipped below the horizon of Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California, casting a golden hue over thousands of devoted rock music fans gathered for the grand finale of the annual Ohana Festival. Founded and curated by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, the festival has steadily evolved into a cornerstone of the Southern California live music calendar, blending high-profile alternative rock acts, intimate acoustic performances, and an underlying ethos of environmental and social activism. The final night of the festival delivered an unforgettable sequence of musical milestones, headlined by an electrifying 18-song set from Pearl Jam that officially introduced their new drummer, featured a pair of high-profile guest appearances, and touched upon pressing global conversations surrounding artistic freedom.

The Introduction of Abe Laboriel Jr.

The most anticipated moment of the evening arrived before a single note of Pearl Jam’s headlining set was played. As the house lights dimmed, a chant reverberated through the sea of fans gathered on the sand: “Abe! Abe! Abe!” The rhythmic calling was directed at Abe Laboriel Jr., the seasoned, powerhouse drummer widely celebrated for his long-tenured work with Paul McCartney. Laboriel, caught on the venue’s large-screen monitors, offered a humble smile and nodded to the roaring crowd, stepping behind his drum kit to take on what is widely considered one of the most demanding rhythmic roles in modern rock and roll.

Laboriel’s appearance on Sunday followed a softer introduction two days prior during the festival’s opening night, which featured an acoustic-heavy collaborative set billed under the banner of “Eddie Vedder and Friends.” While fans suspected at the time that Laboriel’s involvement might signal a permanent partnership, Sunday night’s performance removed any lingering doubt.

Midway through the set, Vedder addressed the crowd directly, expressing gratitude to both the drummer and the legendary Beatle who shares his talents.

“We’re very honored that a Beatle, no less, Paul McCartney, would allow us to borrow him to help us,” Vedder told the audience from the stage. Delving into the philosophy of the band, the frontman added, “Well, because here’s the thing. 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. So, we thank Abe for keeping us in the running.”

In a poignant gesture that visibly moved the drummer, Vedder dedicated the chorus of the classic 1994 anthem “Better Man” to Laboriel. Quoting the iconic line, “Can’t find a better man,” Vedder pointed toward the kit. Laboriel, visibly caught off guard by the public tribute, placed a hand over his chest and wiped tears from his eyes as the crowd amplified the sentiment with a deafening roar.

Background and Chronology of the Drummer Transition

The search for a permanent replacement behind the drum kit has been a central narrative for Pearl Jam following a significant transition in mid-2025. In July of that year, longtime drummer Matt Cameron announced his amicable departure from the band after nearly three decades of service, leaving a vacancy that sent shockwaves through the rock community. Cameron, who joined Pearl Jam in 1998 following the dissolution of Soundgarden, played an integral role in shaping the band’s rhythmic identity across albums ranging from 2000’s Binaural to 2024’s Dark Matter.

Following Cameron’s departure, the band maintained strict confidentiality regarding their succession plans. Although internal sources confirmed that a selection had been made weeks prior to the festival, management kept the identity under wraps until the Ohana Festival performances. While questions remain regarding whether Laboriel will maintain a dual-touring schedule between Pearl Jam and Paul McCartney’s ongoing commitments, his debut at Doheny State Beach marks a decisive new chapter for the Seattle-founded rock institution.

A Setlist Spanning Decades

Musically, Pearl Jam delivered a relentless 18-song masterclass that bridged their heavy 1990s grunge origins with their contemporary catalog. Guitarist Mike McCready unleashed his signature searing solos, cutting through the ocean breeze during blistering renditions of catalog staples such as “Alive,” “Daughter,” and “Why Go.”

Simultaneously, Laboriel seamlessly anchored the rhythm section, driving the band through complex dynamic shifts. The setlist also heavily featured material from the band’s twelfth studio album, Dark Matter, released earlier in 2024. Tracks like "Setting Sun," "Wreckage," and "Running" demonstrated that the newly configured lineup possesses an acute, driving chemistry that translates effortlessly to large-scale outdoor amphitheaters.

Surprise Guest Appearances: Billy Strings and Neil Young Covers

The collaborative spirit of the Ohana Festival was further underscored by surprise guest appearances that elevated the evening’s emotional and sonic stakes.

Grammy-winning bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings, who had performed a headlining concert at the nearby Kia Forum the previous evening, arrived backstage unannounced and joined Vedder for an intimate, stripped-down acoustic rendition of the 1993 classic "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town." Strings, who has frequently cited Pearl Jam as a foundational influence on his genre-blending songwriting style, blended his lightning-fast flatpicking techniques with Vedder’s weathered, emotive vocal delivery.

Strings returned to the stage later in the set for an incendiary electric guitar showdown alongside Mike McCready. The duo traded fiery solos during a blistering cover of Neil Young’s "Throw Your Hatred Down," turning the coastal festival grounds into a high-octane rock revival.

Honoring the Legacy of Glen Hansard

Before launching into the main body of their set, Vedder took a moment to honor the memory of Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, a close friend and frequent collaborator who passed away on July 29 at the age of 56 following a motorcycle accident.

Hansard, celebrated for his work in the band The Frames and the Academy Award-winning film Once, had been a beloved fixture at past iterations of the Ohana Festival. Visible emotion hung in Vedder’s voice as he addressed the audience regarding the profound loss.

“A great friend to anyone who ever met him and a great musician, a great human. There was really no one like him, so that’s what made it harder to deal with a loss of somebody so irreplaceable,” Vedder said. “He was here so often and we worked together so closely, and we wanted him to be here again. So, we’re going to let Mr. Glen Hansard open the show.”

The band then performed a silent, respectful tribute, setting a reflective tone that honored Hansard’s artistic contributions before transitioning into their high-energy performance.

Advocacy and the Defense of Free Speech

True to the socially conscious ethos that defines both Vedder’s solo work and Pearl Jam’s decades-long career, the frontman used a portion of the evening’s stage banter to address broader cultural and political discussions regarding artistic expression.

Toward the tail end of the performance, Vedder explicitly referenced recent controversies within the live music industry—most notably the cancellation and removal of artist Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s international tour following politically charged stage commentary regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Vedder made it clear that the Ohana Festival operates under a strictly open-door policy regarding performer autonomy, emphasizing that all artists featured on the festival lineup were granted absolute freedom to address any issue of their choosing.

“This is part of free speech, and that’s even more important now that they’re trying to shut down part of the press,” Vedder stated to the crowd. “You’re more than welcome to use their microphones to start a conversation or a thought process. This is all because we trust you.”

The statement resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the festival’s intentional design as not merely a commercial entertainment venture, but a communal space for dialogue, civic engagement, and artistic solidarity.

A Resounding Conclusion

As the evening drew to a close, Pearl Jam delivered their traditional parting gift to fans: an emotionally charged rendition of their anti-war anthem “Yellow Ledbetter.” As the final guitar feedback echoed across the damp sand of Doheny Beach, Vedder sat quietly on the edge of the stage, listening as thousands of voices harmonized with the lingering melody.

The conclusion of the festival not only signaled the successful wrap of another landmark weekend in Southern California music culture, but also marked the definitive dawn of a new era for Pearl Jam—one anchored by fresh rhythmic foundations, enduring friendships, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of artistic and personal liberty.