Yahoo Lifestyle Dave Matthews Suddenly Cancels FireAid Benefit Performance Due to ‘Critical Illness’
Dave Matthews will no longer be performing at the two benefit concerts he was due to appear at this week.
The sudden cancellation was announced in a brief statement shared on the official Dave Matthews Band Instagram page on Wednesday, Jan. 29, just one day before he was due to take the stage at the Kia Forum with John Mayer for the star-studded FireAid benefit concert raising funds for Los Angeles-area wildfire relief.
The 58-year-old singer-songwriter was also scheduled to perform at another charity event the following day, but his appearance at MusiCares' 2025 Persons of the Year benefit gala honoring the Grateful Dead has also been canceled.
"Due to a critical illness in the family, Dave Matthews is unfortunately unable to perform at the FireAid and MusiCares benefits this week," the official statement explained.
A representative for the band told The Associated Press there will be no further comment. Mayer later reposted the notice to his Instagram Story, issuing the following statement: "Sending all my love to Dave, who will be there in spirit with me at @fireaidla."
Fans, while disappointed over the unexpected change of plans, still appeared to be more concerned over the well-being of Matthews and his family, like one Instagram user who wrote: "Devastated and sending love to Dave and his family. 💔❤️🩹♥️."
"Sending all the love and hope everyone is okay ❤️," a second shared.
"Damn. Seeing Dave and John together was going to be epic," another admitted. "Wishing for all the best."
"Sending love and prayers to Dave and his family," a fourth added. "He wouldn't have canceled this unless it was serious. 🙏❤️."
Others were hopeful that since the show must go on, it will find some way to honor the artist, with one suggesting, "@johnmayer now we need a Dave Matthews tribute set! Let’s go!"
Along with Mayer, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Jelly Roll, Pink, Rod Stewart, and Stevie Wonder are all set to perform at FireAid. As for the MusiCares gala, other A-listers to appear at the charity event benefitting music professionals in need include Zac Brown, Mick Fleetwood, Norah Jones and Wynonna Judd.
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