AN EPIC rock band has been slammed by fans after cancelling its long-awaited headline gig – while still continuing to cash in on tour merchandise.
Fans were left devastated after the US group pulled out of its London show just hours before doors opened.
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Pearl Jam were also flogging tickets for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium concert for just a tenner prior to the cancellation.
The slashed prices were enough to leave some raging yet now others have been equally irked as tour posters for the gig that never happened remain on-sale.
Merchandise for the Seattle grunge veterans’ Dark Matter World Tour, including eye-popping artwork by Rupert Bruber, is still available to purchase.
A message on the group’s Instagram page read: “Unfortunately, the London and Berlin shows were cancelled, but we still wanted to make sure you have an opportunity to see the great event poster art for each show.
“Check the links in our story or follow the artists if you’d like to pick one up.
“Each artist has 100 APs, as well as 200 tour edition prints.”
Artwork available covers the cancelled London show on June 29 as well as for the Berlin concerts on July 2 and 3.
Fans were quick to react in the comments section, with one musing: “Are you seriously trying to sell us stuff while we lost money from travels to cancelled shows?”
A second bluntly wrote: “No, thanks. Broke after paying hotel and flights for nothing.. also haven’t seen any of the posters here in Berlin as advertising.”
A third remarked: “I feel sorry for the artists but, what’s the point on selling a poster of an event that never happened??”
Another angry music fan ranted: “Weird selling a poster of a show that never took place?”
Yet others had suggestions for the merchandise, with one gig-goer suggesting: “Maybe send the T-shirts from the cancelled events to people who bought tickets. It would be a nice gesture x.”
Another tried to clarify the situation and put: “They aren’t greedy by advertising this, it’s the exact opposite, they are helping a independent artist who spent time designing this and giving them a chance to shine, promoting their work and helping them with a paycheck.
“This isn’t greedy, it’s compassionate.”
Pearl Jam by numbers
Pearl Jam have been rocking up the music charts since 1990. Here we look at the band’s highlights in numbers.
34: Pearl Jam was formed 34 years ago in Seattle, Washington. The band was originally called Mookie Blaylock after a professional basketball player, but changed its name to Pearl Jam less than a year later.
9: Throughout Pearl Jam’s reign, the band has had a total of nine different members. The current line-up consists of five musicians.
12: Pearl Jam has released 12 studio albums. The band’s most recent album, Dark Matter, dropped in April this year.
23: This band loves to tour. In fact, it has embarked on a staggering 23 tours over the years, visiting counties all over the world.
2: Pearl Jam has won two prestigious Grammy awards over the past four decades and received a further 13 Grammy nominations. The band has also won numerous gongs from the American Music Awards, Brit Awards MTV Video Music Awards, along with countless other accolades.
120: The wealthiest member of Pearl Jam is said to be lead singer Eddie Vedder. He has a reported estimated wealth of $120million (£95million)
GIG SHOCK
Pearl Jam’s no-show in London was revealed on social media.
A message posted to their page at the time read: “The Pearl Jam concert scheduled for Saturday, June 29 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London has regrettably been cancelled due to illness in the band.
“This decision was the last thing we wanted to have to make, especially as we know so many of you made travel plans based on the tour schedule.
“There was simply no other option based on our current health and also having to avoid further damage.
“We couldn’t be more disappointed to not play one of our favourite cities this tour.
“Despite best efforts, rescheduling was not possible at this time due to existing schedule commitments.
“We are deeply grateful for your support and sincerely apologise to the incredible Pearl Jam community for the inconvenience and disappointment.
“Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.”
Earlier in the month, the band had played at Manchester’s troubled Co-op Live, but lead singer Eddie Vedder had announced to the crowds how he was unwell.
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