Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam delivered a memorable performance at the grand opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center on Thursday (June 18), collaborating with youths from the Chicago area who perform under the name Guitars Over Guns on the new track “Better Believe.”
Before the performance, Vedder introduced his young bandmates who were joining him for the song. “What an honor for all of us to be here on this day,” he said, “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. But it’s been great work and it’s everything the center stands for — its inclusivity, its access to resources, its mentorship and opportunity. So, we thank you for this opportunity.”
The performance can be viewed through the Obama Foundation livestream below.
See Eddie Vedder + More at the Barack Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening
How “Better Believe” Featuring Eddie Vedder and Guitars Over Guns Came Together
The Obama Foundation paired Vedder with Guitars Over Guns for this project. The Guitars Over Guns group consists of audio arts students and alumni from Columbia College Chicago, where the song was recorded.
Vedder co-wrote the track with members of the Guitars Over Guns band. Giselle Castro, Andre “Add-2” Daniels, Jeremiah Fristoe, Mason Harris, Michael “Myskie” Hightower, Naomi Owens, Joy Viltz and Iya Waters share writing credits alongside the Pearl Jam singer. Daniels, an adjunct professor at Columbia and Chicago regional director for Guitars Over Guns, led the project. Additionally, the song was produced by Vedder, Daniels, Andrew Watt and Paul LaMalfa.
READ MORE: Why Eddie Vedder Didn’t Want Pearl Jam to Release ‘Better Man’
A studio version of the track has been released featuring Eddie Vedder (Vocalist, Guitar, background vocals), Joy Viltz (Vocalist), Giselle Castro (Vocalist), Naomi Owens (Vocalist), Michael “Myskie” Hightower (Vocalist), Mason Harris (Vocalist), Jeremiah Fristoe (Background Vocalist), Andre “Add-2” Daniels (Background Vocalist), Mark Anderson (Background Vocalist), Isabella Santillan (Guitar), Ayden Smith (Bass), Cassidy Lee (Drums) and Josh Klinghoffer (Keyboard).
The song is currently available on multiple platforms and all royalties earned by Vedder and the song’s co-writers will benefit the Guitars Over Guns organization that uses music, mentorship and the arts to empower young people and provide more opportunities for their future.
Eddie Vedder & Guitars Over Guns, “Better Believe”
Below are photos from the grand opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center featuring performances by Eddie Vedder, U2’s Bono and The Edge, and Bruce Springsteen.
Rockers Perform at Barack Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening
June 18, 2026 marks the grand opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois. Among those honored to perform are rockers Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Bono and The Edge (U2) and Bruce Springsteen, as well as Stevie Wonder and more.
Gallery Credit: Getty Images
