Mayer was set to perform the two weekend event
John Mayer has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been forced to pull out Dead & Company’s upcoming Playing in the Sand 2022 at the spectacular AAA Four Diamond Awarded, Moon Palace Cancún. The band shared the news via an Instagram post late Wednesday (Jan 5th) night.
“Today, just prior to leaving for Mexico, per his physician, @JohnMayer tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unable to perform at the upcoming ‘Playing in the Sand’ event in Riviera Cancun January 7-10,” the post reads.
“The weekend will now feature Dos Hermanos con Amigos: @MickeyHart and @BobWeir with @JeffChimentiMusic and @Oteil_Burbridge, joined by @LuvrzLane, Tom Hamilton @trhjunior and including special guests and sit ins including @MissMargoPrice and others.
“In these unprecedented times fans should expect many rare and different tunes.”
It’s unclear if Mayer will perform the second weekend scheduled for January 13-16th.
Mayer is the second member to bow out of the event following drummer Bill Kreutzmann, who was advised by doctors not to attend due to health concerns.
“We came down here to have fun. Unfortunately some of our brothers cannot make it but fun is what we’re going to have,” shares Bob Weir.
This is devastating news for fans after the band confirmed last week that Mayer would be performing, following social media rumors he wouldn’t due to COVID protocols. “[R]eassuring everyone that @JOHNMAYER is heading to Mexico!” they shared in a tweet.
Last week, the band also offered a limited window to obtain refunds for those who were uneasy about trekking to the Cancún resort.
“Dead & Company is the ONLY artist giving blanket refunds at this time for CID events,” band reps share in an email sent to ticketholders. “As you know, Dead & Company has always had strict COVID protocols and those will not only continue in Mexico but even more safety measures have been put into place.”
The two weekend excursion will feature three unforgettable nights of Dead & Company performing three unique, intimate concerts on a private stretch of white sand beach just feet from the Caribbean Sea. In addition to daytime entertainment and nightly concerts, guests will be encouraged to enrich their weekend with exploration of the natural beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula and rich Mayan culture through various off-site adventures including diving in underground cenotes, visiting the lost capital of Chichen Itza, discovering the natural beauty of Isla Mujeres, sailing on luxury catamarans, and more.
All six shows will be livestreamed at nugs.net starting January 7th. Three and six show discounted bundles are also available and will available on demand for 48 hours after each show airs live.
