Coronavirus sounds a sour note as Pearl Jam, SxSW, Madonna, Santana and more fall victim to the disease

Show business’ cardinal rule—“The show must go on”--is finding itself up against a formidable enemy as fears of Coronavirus are causing some of the world’s top musical acts to call off dates and even entire tours. Among them are Pearl Jam, Santana, and Madonna, all of whom have announced previously scheduled gig have been called off in the name of public safety.

In a statement posted on the band’s website, grunge titans Pearl Jam said:

“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. 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.

“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.

“So it is with deep frustration and regret that we are forced to make this most unfortunate of announcements...”

Gigation is the title of the Jammers’ upcoming album, which is scheduled for release March 27.

Guitar legend Carlos Santana has likewise put the brakes on the upcoming European leg of his band’s Miraculous 2020 World Tour, and Madonna canceled Tuesday and Wednesday’s Paris dates—the last of her Madame X excursion that began last fall.

Country music isn’t immune from the virus as the Zac Brown Band has decided to shut down the spring portion of its trek that has been dubbed The Owl Tour.

Two annual major music events—the SxSW Conference & Festivals in Austin, Tex. and California’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, have also been affected by Covid-19. The former, set for Friday through March 22, was cancelled outright, while the latter’s April 10-12/17-19 dates were postponed until Oct. 9-11 and 16-18.