Eddie Vedder Debuts New Song with Youth Musicians at Obama Center Opening

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder opened the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago with a surprise set that blended new music and local talent. The ceremony, streamed live by the Obama Foundation, also featured Bruce Springsteen, U2’s Bono and The Edge, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and John Legend.

Vedder’s highlight was the first performance of “Better Believe,” a brand‑new track written for the occasion and performed alongside a group of young musicians from the Chicago area. He introduced the ensemble as members of Guitars Over Guns, a nonprofit that partners with students from underserved communities to provide music education and mentorship. According to the Obama Foundation, the organization was chosen to collaborate with Vedder for the event.

"What an honor for all of us to be here on this day… President Obama was aware that I would be playing music with young musicians from the neighborhood. But when he heard we were writing an original piece, a song just for the occasion, he said, ‘That might be a lot of work.’ And as usual, he was right," Vedder said.

The song was co‑written by Guitars Over Guns members Giselle Castro, Andre “Add‑2” Daniels, Jeremiah Fristoe, Mason Harris, Michael “Myskie” Hightower, Naomi Owens, Joy Viltz and Iya Waters. Daniels, who teaches at Columbia College Chicago and serves as the organization’s regional director, helped lead the project. Production credits include Vedder, Daniels, Andrew Watt and Paul LaMalfa.

Recording took place at Columbia College Chicago’s audio‑arts studio, a facility that offers hands‑on training in sound engineering, recording and production. The studio’s involvement underscores the college’s commitment to community outreach and the arts.

A studio version of “Better Believe” was released to streaming services the same day. The track features Vedder on vocals and guitar, with vocal contributions from Joy Viltz, Giselle Castro, Naomi Owens, Michael “Myskie” Hightower, Mason Harris and Jeremiah Fristoe. Instrumental credits list Andre “Add‑2” Daniels on background vocals, Mark Anderson on background vocals, Isabella Santillan on guitar, Ayden Smith on bass, Cassidy Lee on drums and Josh Klinghoffer on keyboard.

All royalties from the song will benefit Guitars Over Guns. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit uses music and mentorship to empower youth in Chicago’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. According to its impact reports, the group has expanded its budget to $3.5 million and now supports over 80 professional musicians and mentors.

The Obama Presidential Center sits on a 19.3‑acre campus in Jackson Park and is slated to open to the public on Juneteenth, June 19. The center’s opening ceremony, which attracted more than 700,000 visitors annually, highlighted the institution’s mission to preserve and digitize presidential records and to serve the surrounding community.

Vedder’s collaboration with Guitars Over Guns reflects a broader trend of established artists partnering with community‑based organizations to create new music that supports social causes. The partnership was announced by the Obama Foundation, which has a history of curating performances that align with the center’s values of inclusivity and mentorship.

The song is now available on major streaming platforms, and the livestream of the opening remains archived on the Obama Foundation website. The event has been reported by outlets such as Loudwire, Consequence and CBS News, all of which confirmed the performance details and the charitable purpose of the new track.

The collaboration between Vedder and Guitars Over Guns demonstrates how music can bridge generations and serve as a vehicle for community empowerment, marking the Obama Presidential Center’s opening as a moment of both political significance and tangible youth development in Chicago.