Photo Credit: Anthony Abbot / CC by 3.0
Pearl Jam has canceled its upcoming Vienna & Prague concerts. Frontman Eddie Vedder suffered throat damage following his last show outside Paris.
“To all those who were anticipating a great Pearl Jam show tonight in Vienna, we were too. However, due to the extreme circumstances at the last outdoor site outside of Paris (heat, dust, and smoke from the fires) our singer Ed Vedder’s throat was left damaged,” the band’s official statement reads. “He has seen doctors and had treatment but as of yet, his vocal cords have not recovered.”
Soaring temperatures across Europe have caused untamed wildfires to rage across France. Germany recorded its hottest day this year on record, well before the dog days of summer have set in.
“This is brutal news and horrible timing, for everyone involved,” the band’s statement continues. “Those who work so hard to put on the shows as well as those who give their precious time and energies to attend. As a band, we are deeply sorry and have tried to find options to still play. And Ed wants to play. There’s just no throat available at this time. So very, very deeply sorry.”
Anyone with tickets to the Vienna show will be refunded at their original point of purchase. Pearl Jam has three shows remaining on this leg of this tour, including Prague, and two shows in Amsterdam. Pearl Jam is set to kick off their North American leg of the tour in September.
On July 21, the band canceled the Prague show with an additional statement. “We were hopeful that Ed would make a recovery in time to perform tomorrow. He has seen a doctor in Prague and is continuing the treatments for his vocal cords, but unfortunately there is still no voice available. The effects on his throat from the last outdoor show are still just too brutal.”
“We again send our sincere apologies to all of those who have worked intensely to put on the show. Even bigger apologies to those that were expecting to attend. We’ve always had memorable shows here and are with you in our extreme disappointment,” the statement continues. “Thank you immensely for your understanding.”