Squeeze canceled their concert at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, on Thursday night after a tour bus worker was fatally crushed in an accident on the venue’s property.
According to FOX 5 DC, the worker was underneath a tour bus when equipment supporting the vehicle malfunctioned, causing the bus to fall on top of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The worker’s identity has not been publicly released.
Wolf Trap subsequently announced that the evening’s performance had been canceled.
“There was an accident involving a member of the community at Wolf Trap National Park today, tragically resulting in a loss of life,” the venue said in a statement. “Out of respect, tonight’s show has been canceled.”
Squeeze expressed their condolences in a statement of their own.
“Squeeze are deeply saddened and shocked by an incident that occurred at the venue earlier today, which resulted in the loss of a life,” the band said. “After discussions with the venue and the relevant authorities, the decision was made to cancel this evening’s performance. We will work with the promoter and venue regarding the possibility of rescheduling the show and will communicate further information to ticket holders as soon as it is available. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic event.”
Squeeze are currently touring North America in support of Trixies, their first album of new material in eight years. Released in March, the album has an unusual history: It features songs written by founding members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook around the time Squeeze formed in 1973, but which remained unrecorded for more than five decades.
Formed in London in 1973, Squeeze became one of the defining British new wave bands of the late 1970s and early ’80s, with enduring songs including “Up the Junction,” “Pulling Mussels From the Shell,” “Cool for Cats” and “Tempted.” Difford and Tilbrook have remained at the center of the band through its various breakups and reunions.
Squeeze’s North American tour is currently scheduled to continue Friday, September 4, at Rose Music Hall in Huber Heights, Ohio.
