Dave Matthews Exits FireAid & MusiCares Benefits Due To Family Emergency

Dave Matthews pulled out of two benefit concerts he was supposed to play at over the next two nights. The unexpected cancelations were announced via a brief statement posted on the Dave Matthews Band Instagram page on Wednesday night.

“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 read. No further explanation was given. Both concerts will take place in Los Angeles.

Dave Matthews was scheduled to perform with John Mayer at the all-star FireAid benefit concert tonight, Thursday, January 30. The set was to be to pair’s first performing together as a duo. “Sending all my love to Dave, who will be there in spirit with me at @fireaidla,” Mayer wrote in reposting the statement on his Instagram Stories.

FireAid will feature performances this evening at both Intuit Dome and The Kia Forum. Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Sting, The Black Crowes and Lady Gaga are among those slated to perform. Proceeds from FireAid will help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Matthews was also set to take part in the MusiCares Grateful Dead tribute on Friday, January 31 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The stacked lineup features Dead & Company, John Mayer, Bruce Hornsby, Billy Strings, Maren Morris, Mick Fleetwood with Stewart Copeland, Vampire Weekend, My Morning Jacket, Sammy Hagar, Norah Jones, Noah Kahan, Sierra Ferrell & Lukas Nelson, The War On Drugs, The War and Treaty, Zac Brown, Maggie Rose and Dwight Yoakam. The Grateful Dead will be honored as the 2025 MusiCares Persons Of The Year.