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  • Miley Cyrus is one of several musicians canceling shows because of coronavirus. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)
    Miley Cyrus is one of several musicians canceling shows because of coronavirus. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)

    Musical acts around the globe are canceling or postponing tours and appearances as a result of the coronavirus crisis, which has also knocked out several major music events.

    In a joint statement released today (Mar. 13) executives from Live Nation, AEG, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), William Morris Endeavor (WME), Paradigm and United Talent Agency (UTA) said they are halting all large-scale tours in the U.S. and abroad until April.

    They are working together to develop best practices to safeguard artists, fans, and staff in the concert industry, according to Rolling Stone.

    The Coachella Music Festival in California, which typically draws up to half a million fans, has been postponed for six months. The event is tentatively scheduled for October, according to organizers.

    The event was originally scheduled for the weekends of April 10-12 and April 17-19.

    Rage Against the Machine, Frank Ocean and Travis Scott were set to headline the concert.

    The new dates are Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18.

    Another big spring festival, South by South West (SXSW) in Austin, Tx, has also been postponed. It was originally scheduled for Mar. 13-22.

    Organizers and local officials said it was unwise to draw crowds while the number of coronavirus cases continue rising, even though Austin has been free of infections so far. The show drew more than 400,000 people last year.

    Major corporate sponsors, Apple Inc., Netflix and Facebook have already withdrawn from the festival.

    The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland postponed its induction ceremony. Initially scheduled for May 2, it is being moved to an as yet unspecified date.

    Musicians have also begun canceling shows worldwide.

    Pearl Jam announced earlier this week it was postponing all of its planned U.S. and Canada dates through the end of April.

    “The levels of risk to our audience and their communities is simply too high for our comfort level,” the band said in a statement.

    Its Gigaton Tour, in support of its 11th studio album, had scheduled 17 shows in North America and was set to kick off March 18. Postponed shows will be rescheduled.

    So far, the band’s European tour is still expected to begin June 23 in Germany, according to the band’s website.

    Miley Cyrus has canceled her bushfire relief concert in Australia on three days notice. She was set to headline a concert on Mar. 13 in Melbourne.

    Nearly 30 million acres of bushland were destroyed and 33 people died directly related to the fires.

    “I am so disappointed to not be there, but I have to do what is right to protect the health and safety of my band and crew,” Cyrus said on Twitter.

    Australia has reported 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the novel virus strain behind the illnesses. Three virus related deaths have been reported.

    The concert, however, is not being canceled. British singer Robbie Williams will not headline the show.

    Madonna canceled her show in Paris, promoter Live Nation said on Monday.

    Over the weekend, France banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

    Cancellations have also hit the UK. Iconic rock band The Who, canceled the UK leg of their tour, also on short notice. The tour was set to kickoff in Manchester.

    The group said the tour is being postponed until later in the year.

    “Haven’t reached this decision easily, but given the concerns about public gatherings, we couldn’t go ahead,” frontman Pete Townshend said in a statement.