In a significant move highlighting the impact of climate change on live events, the Steve Miller Band has canceled its entire 2025 U.S. tour. The decision, announced on July 17, 2025, stems from escalating extreme weather conditions posing safety risks to fans, band members, and crew.
The tour was scheduled to commence in August and run through early November, encompassing nearly 36 stops across the United States, including cities in New York, Tennessee, Florida, and California. However, lead member Steve Miller, 81, cited severe weather threats such as extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, and massive forest fires as unacceptable risks. In a statement posted on the band's social media accounts, Miller remarked, "The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and massive forest fires make these risks for you our audience, the band and the crew unacceptable. You can blame it on the weather. … The tour … ." (apnews.com)
This cancellation reflects a broader trend where extreme weather events increasingly disrupt live music events. Recent examples include the partial cancellation of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts … due to heavy rainfall and numerous attendees falling ill from heat at the Rock the Country festival in Kentucky. Scientists attribute the frequency and severity of such weather events to climate change, complicating the planning of safe outdoor summer events. (apnews.com)
The Steve Miller Band, formed … is renowned for hits like "The Joker" (1973) and "Abracadabra" (1982). While the band has not provided further details on the cancellation, this decision underscores the growing challenges the music industry faces in the era of climate change.