Dave Matthews Cancels FireAid Performance Over “Critical” Family Emergency

Dave Matthews Cancels FireAid Performance Over “Critical” Family Emergency

Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band fame has had to pull out of FireAid — the Jan. 30 benefit concert coming in the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires — due to a family emergency.  

“Due to a critical illness in the family, Dave Matthews is unfortunately unable to perform at the FireAid and MusiCares benefits this week,” the statement by FireAid and Musicares on Instagram stated on Thursday.

Matthews and John Mayer were earlier billed to take the stage together for the first time at the fundraiser. “Sending all my love to Dave, who will be there in spirit with me at @fireaidla,” Mayer wrote on his Instagram story page.

FireAid will use the proceeds from the concert to support the L.A. communities impacted by the deadly fires that have torn through the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena.

The FireAid performers include Mayer, Billie Eilish and Finneas, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Green Day, Jelly Roll, Joni Mitchell, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Pink, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rod Stewart, Sting, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and Tate McRae.

Live Nation, AEG and the Azoff Company have partnered with the Clippers’ home in Inglewood to host the benefit show, described as an evening of music and solidarity. The concerts will be broadcast by select AMC Theatres, Apple Music and the Apple TV App, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, SoundCloud, Veeps and YouTube, demonstrating how the music business is unifying around the local disaster.

Proceeds from the concert will go toward rebuilding infrastructure, supporting displaced families and advancing fire prevention technologies and strategies to ensure L.A. is better prepared for fire emergencies, the concert promoters said.