American rock band, Pearl Jam, have postponed their Spring 2020 tour dates due to the coronavirus outbreak. The band released a series of 10 tweets, announcing their postponement and apologizing to fans.

“So it is with deep frustration and regret that we are forced to make this most unfortunate of announcement,” the band tweets. “This scheduled first leg of our PJ/Gigaton tour will need to be postponed and shows rescheduled for a later date.”

(1/10) As residents of the city of Seattle, we’ve been hit hard and have witnessed firsthand how quickly these disastrous situations can escalate. Our kids’ schools have closed along with universities and businesses. pic.twitter.com/SRcZasIVsk

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(2/10) It’s been brutal and it’s gonna get worse before it gets better.

So we are being told that being part of large gatherings is high on the list of things to avoid as this global health crisis is now beginning to affect all of our lives.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(3/10) Unfortunately, communing in large groups is a huge part of what we do as a band and the tour we’ve been busy planning for months is now in jeopardy…

We have and will always keep the safety and well-being of our supporters as top priority.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(4/10) So it is with deep frustration and regret that we are forced to make this most unfortunate of announcements…

This scheduled first leg of our PJ/Gigaton tour will need to be postponed and shows rescheduled for a later date.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(5/10) We’ve worked hard with all our management and business associates to find other solutions or options but the levels of risk to our audience and their communities is simply too high for our comfort level.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(6/10) 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 their energies and devotion. However in this case, travel is something to avoid.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(7/10) It certainly hasn’t helped that there’s been no clear messages from our government regarding people’s safety and our ability to go to work.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(8/10) Having no examples of our national health department’s ability to get ahead of this, we have no reason to believe that it will be under control in the coming weeks ahead.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(9/10) Again, here in Seattle what we are witnessing we would not wish for anyone. What we do wish for the rest of the country is that they can avoid the harsh negative effects of this and retain their sense of community and take care of one another.

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

(10/10) Just as we look forward to our next concerts and the ability to gather together and play loud songs as energized as ever.

We are so sorry…
And deeply upset..

If anyone out there feels the same based on this news, we share that emotion with you.

– Ed & Pearl Jam

— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) March 10, 2020

The band further states how the levels of risk to the audience members and their communities are too high for their comfort levels. They finish off the series of tweets by apologizing once again and expressing how upset they are with the situation.

The band was originally supposed to kick off their tour on Mar. 18, in Toronto, ON, at the Scotiabank Arena, to promote their upcoming album, Gigaton, which is set to release on Mar. 27. At the moment, it is unknown which dates are being postponed.

Much like Pearl Jam, bands and festivals are cancelling and postponing their events, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier this week, SXSW announced their cancelation for their entire week of festivities. Slipknot also announced, earlier this month, they will be postponing their Knotfest Japan and Asian tours, once again, due to the coronavirus.

UPDATE (3/10): Ohana Festival, which announced its lineup just yesterday with Pearl Jam as one of the headliners has confirmed that Pearl Jam will still be playing the festival. They confirmed Pearl Jam will headline in a response to a user on Twitter.

No @PearlJam will absolutely be at #ohanafest and we are thrilled to have them as our Sunday headliner this fall.

— The Ohana Fest (@TheOhanaFest) March 10, 2020

Photo Credit: Alyssa Fried