Billy Strings joins Pearl Jam for an acoustic singalong and a Mike McCready guitar duel at Ohana
The unannounced guest spot moved from “Elderly Woman” to the Neil Young-era “Throw Your Hatred Down” during Pearl Jam's festival-closing set.
Sep 29, 2026
Credit: SPIN
Billy Strings used a night off in Southern California to join Pearl Jam at the closing set of Eddie Vedder’s Ohana festival on September 27. He first appeared on acoustic guitar for “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town,” then stayed for an electric exchange with Mike McCready on “Throw Your Hatred Down,” the Neil Young song Pearl Jam backed on 1995’s Mirror Ball.
The guest turn capped an 18-song set with Abe Laboriel Jr. again behind the drums after his surprise debut with the band two nights earlier. It also put Strings’ bluegrass-rooted attack into a full electric-rock setting, with the collaboration growing from his long-running habit of covering Pearl Jam material live.
Credit: Bob Mcandrews (via source)
Why it matters
The appearance was a genuine cross-scene collaboration rather than a ceremonial walk-on, giving Billy Strings and Mike McCready room to meet inside a song tied to Pearl Jam's Neil Young history.
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