Pearl Jam postpones first leg of tour over virus concerns

Pearl Jam is postponing rth American leg of its Gigaton world tour because of concerns over new coronavirus, band anunced Monday. Seventeen U.S. and Canadian performances, beginning on March 18 in Toronto through April 19 in Oakland, California, were indefinitely postponed, according to band’s website.

Pearl Jam said it was anuncing postponements “with deep frustration and regret.”

“ levels of risk to our audience and ir communities is simply too high for our comfort level,” a band statement said. “Add to that we also have a unique group of passionate fans who travel far and wide. We’ve always been humbled by this and respect ir energies and devotion. However in this case, travel is something to avoid.”

New dates will be determined and current tickets will be hored for those dates, band said.

For w, European shows from June 23 to July 23 are still scheduled along with two September shows in Asbury Park in New Jersey, and Dana Point in California, according to band’s website.

Band members said y were personally being affected by COVID-19 health fears. band is from Washington state, where two dozen people have died, most of m at a Seattle-area nursing home.

“As residents of city of Seattle, we’ve been hit hard and have witnessed firsthand how quickly se disastrous situations can escalate,” band said. “Our kids’ schools have closed along with universities and businesses. It’s been brutal.”

Band members also criticized a lack of clarity from government when it comes to staying safe and going to work, saying y didn’t believe virus would be controlled in coming weeks.

“ tour we’ve been busy planning for months is w in jeopardy,” band said. “We have and will always keep safety and well-being of our supporters as top priority.”