The band told fans on Instagram that lead singer Eddie Vedder’s throat was “damaged” at his last show outside of Paris due to heat, dust and smoke from nearby fires.
“To everyone who was waiting for a great Pearl Jam show in Vienna tonight, so were we. However, due to the extreme circumstances at the last outdoor venue outside of Paris (heat, dust and smoke from the fires) our singer Ed Vedder’s throat was left damaged,” reads the statement. “He has seen doctors and received treatment, but until now his vocal cords have not recovered.”
Rising temperatures and wildfires have spread across Europe this week.
In France, forest fires have burned 25 times more land so far this year than in the same period last year, government spokesman Olivier Veran told journalists on Wednesday. And Austria’s neighbor Germany recorded its hottest day this year, and there’s more heat to come.
“This is brutal news and terrible timing… for everyone involved. Those who work so hard to get the shows off the ground and those who put their precious time and energy into it,” the band added. “As a band we are deeply sorry and have been trying to find options to still play. And Ed wants to play.
They added: “So very, very deeply sorry.”
According to the declaration, tickets will be refunded at the time of purchase.
Pearl Jam has three shows left on this tour, one in Prague and two nights in Amsterdam. In September they will start the North American leg of their tour.