Pearl Jam performed with longtime Paul McCartney drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. on Friday night at the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California, but the band did not confirm him as their new full-time drummer.
During his solo set, Eddie Vedder brought out his Pearl Jam bandmates and Laboriel. Together, they played 15 songs, starting with “Corduroy.” Fan-shot video of the performance circulated online.
Stereogum reported that Vedder introduced Laboriel as “filling in” rather than officially naming him as the band’s drummer. Pearl Jam is scheduled to perform again at the festival on Sunday.
Laboriel has played in Paul McCartney’s live band since 2001. He has also performed with Sting, Steve Vai and Eric Clapton. Laboriel contributed to Vedder’s 2022 solo album “Earthling” and played live with him at the 2023 Ohana Festival.
If Laboriel becomes Pearl Jam’s new permanent drummer, he would replace Matt Cameron. Cameron joined Pearl Jam in 1998 and played on every studio album since “Binaural” in 2000. He also played with Soundgarden from 1986 until their breakup in 1997 and rejoined them when the band reunited in 2010. Soundgarden disbanded again after singer Chris Cornell died in 2017.
Pearl Jam announced Cameron’s departure in a statement: “Matt has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always. He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music. We love you Matt.”