Photo Credit: Rodrigo Simas

Just days before his scheduled appearances, Dave Matthews has announced that he will no longer be able to perform during the high-profile FireAid benefit concert and MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala honoring the Grateful Dead following a family emergency.

The artist’s team announced his withdrawal from the massive events with a post to Dave Matthews Band’s Instagram account today, Jan. 29, writing, “Due to a critical illness in the family, Dave Matthews is unfortunately unable to perform at the FireAid and MusiCares benefits this week.”

FireAid, the one-night-only charity showcase uniting 29 massive acts to raise money for relief and recovery in the wake of Los Angeles’ devastating wildfire crisis, is set to stage at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome and Kia Forum tomorrow, Jan. 30. Matthews was scheduled to take the stage at the latter venue with John Mayer for the jam figureheads’ first-ever duet performance, which was shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated performances of the event. Mayer is expected to deliver a solo set in his absence, and audiences at the vaunted stages and at home will still witness sets from such stars as Joni Mitchell, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Dawes, Graham Nash, John Fogerty and Stevie Wonder.

MusiCares’ 2025 Persons of the Year Gala is scheduled for the following evening at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For this celebration of the Grateful Dead’s 60-year legacy of musical achievement and cultural significance, Matthews was one among 21 billed acts, including Billy Strings, My Morning Jacket, Mayer, Norah Jones, The War on Drugs and Dead & Company. Funds raised will go to benefit disaster relief efforts for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and MusiCares’ broader efforts to support the music community through times of need.

Read more about the FireAid benefit concert here and MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala here. See Matthews’ official announcement below.