Pearl Jam has canceled its second show in a row after frontman Eddie Vedder damaged his vocal cords due to environmental conditions at the band’s concert in Paris on Sunday. A variety of factors including Europe’s record-setting heat wave in addition to smoke from nearby fires left the lead singer without a voice.
Hours before Pearl Jam was due to perform in Vienna, Austria on Wednesday, the band wrote on social media, “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.”
Then on Thursday, the group announced the cancellation of Friday’s show in Prague, Czech Republic and offered an update on Vedder’s health.
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.
Tickets for the affected Pearl Jam shows will be refunded at the point of purchase. The band’s next show is slated for Sunday in Amsterdam, Netherlands. See the full statement below.
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This latest setback comes after Pearl Jam’s spring U.S. tour was beset by COVID-induced substitutions and cancellations. Drummer Matt Cameron missed three concerts, as the band deployed a stable of ringers including touring member Josh Klinghoffer, bassist Jeff Ament‘s frequent collaborator Richard Stuverud, original drummer Dave Krusen, and even a pair of lucky fans like 17-year-old Kai Neukermans to fill his seat. The band was then forced to cancel the last two shows on the May U.S. leg after Ament tested positive for COVID.