Remembering the 9 Fans Who Tragically Died at the Roskilde Music Festival During Pearl Jam’s Performance

There have been some pretty disastrous concerts and festivals in music history. Woodstock 99, Fyrefest, The Who’s Show at the Riverfront Coliseum, and so many more. One of these catastrophic shows often overlooked and forgotten about is Pearl Jam’s performance at the Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark in 2000.

On the fateful day of the seemingly routine festival, nine people died, and 43 concertgoers were left injured as a result of the show. Nothing about that day would suggest any tragedy and misfortunes to happen. However, they did, and Pearl Jam, as well as their community, have been haunted by the morbid day ever since it happened.

June 30, 2000

That day of the festival the lineup included Oasis, Lou Reed, and Iron Maiden. Consequently, the festival brought along around 100,00 fans on that day. Given the sheer number of people, the sea of fans was tight, crowded, and an uncontrollable force for one individual to handle if subdued by it. That said, it was this mosh pit that took the nine lives lost that day.

The lives lost and injuries suffered were all a result of the trampling that transpired in the crowd. Particularly when Pearl Jam came on, as the band stated, “Young men who loved PJ and wanted to get up close. That was the through-line of all those who passed that day,” per Pearl Jam’s official statement. Despite this tragedy, none of these fans died in vain. Since that day, Pearl Jam has consistently shed light on the tragedies through various statements.

Pearl Jam’s Response

20 years after the event in 2020, Pearl Jam released an official statement acknowledging that fateful day. Part of the statement read, “Every day our hearts continue to ache and our stomachs turn at the thoughts of those young men dying and of what might have been different, if only…but nothing changes.” Furthermore, the statement also disclosed, “It is unthinkable, yet there it is” and “Our worst nightmare.”

Despite the kind words Pearl Jam wrote, it’s still hard to fathom how something tragic could happen at an event meant to bring joy. However, Pearl Jam does not neglect the happenings of the day and accepts their part in the tragedy. That said, Pearl Jam did not do anything worthy of punishment. After an investigation, Billboard wrote in 2002, there was “no reason to presume that something punishable has been done.” Thus, both Pearl Jam and the concert organizers faced no charges but still felt the guilt.

In all, the day seemingly was nothing more than a tragic accident. Regardless, it does not diminish the fatal happenings of that day.

Photo: Danny Clinch