Pearl Jam Announces First Show Since Matt Cameron Exit

Pearl Jam has some exciting news to share with fans.

The legendary ‘90s rock group was announced as the headliner for the final night of the 2026 Ohana Festival, marking their first performance since longtime drummer Matt Cameron left the band in 2025.

The festival—which was founded by frontman Eddie Vedderin 2016—is set to take place September 25 through 27 in Dana Point, California. The appearance marks the band’s first confirmed live performance since Cameron’s departure, though one major detail still remains a mystery: who will be behind the drums?

Cameron announced his split from Pearl Jam in July 2025 after nearly three decades with the band. “Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” he said at the time, calling his years with the group “the opportunity of a lifetime.” Pearl Jam later praised the drummer in a statement of their own, describing him as “a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer.”

READ MORE: Legendary ’90s Rock Band Celebrates 8th No. 1 Album at Iconic Rock Festival

As of April, Pearl Jam still hadn’t found a replacement. “We’ve just got to find a new drummer, you know? We don’t have one,” guitarist Mike McCready told American Songwriter on April 17.

That uncertainty has only fueled fan curiosity online, with longtime listeners already speculating about possible fill-ins and surprise guests for the performance.

“Who’s the drummer for PJ?” one curious fan asked in the comments of the Instagram post announcing the lineup on Tuesday, May 12.

“Guess PJ is done woodshedding for the moment 🤷🏻‍♂️ Well, alright! Maybe it’ll be a rotating cast of drummers :),” another wrote.

“I’m saying it’s Stephen Perkins or Dave Krusen,” a third theorized. Perkins is known work in Jane’s Addiction and Krusen was Pearl Jam’s original drummer who left after the release of gtheir first album in 1991.

Vedder will also headline the festival’s opening night with Eddie Vedder & Friends, while Tyler Childers tops the bill on day two. Other performers include Billy Idol, Pixies, Alabama Shakes, and Fontaines D.C..

As for the dummer—eager fans will just have to wait and see.

This story was originally published by Parade on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.