Organizers of the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, where eight fans lost their lives during a Friday set by Seattle rockers Pearl Jam, criticized Oasis and the Pet Shop Boys for canceling their scheduled Saturday gigs.

"By refusing to play for their fans in Roskilde the festival management feel that the bands are actually causing the fans more of a risk as they will now seek out the other smaller stages," read a statement posted Saturday on the festival's official Web site (http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/2000/english/nyt/010700-1.shtml).

As Pearl Jam played "MFC," from their 1998 album, Yield, fans in the estimated crowd of 50,000 began to press forward toward the stage, according to eyewitness reports. Though the band repeatedly asked the crowd to move back, the rush continued, trampling to death eight fans and leaving at least five, and maybe as many as 26, injured, according to conflicting wire reports of the incident.

By the time Pearl Jam ended the song "Daughter" (RealAudio excerpt of live version), group members became aware of the crush that had occurred before them and halted their set, according to a Danish concertgoer who requested anonymity.

The deaths occurred at the festival's "orange stage," where Oasis and the Pet Shop Boys were scheduled to play Saturday. According to the festival Web site, hard-rockers Rollins Band, Senegalese Afro-pop pioneer Youssou N'Dour and Nigerian star Femi Kuti did not cancel their scheduled performances on the orange stage.

In a joint statement on the official Oasis Web site, (www.oasisnet.com), Oasis and the Pet Shop Boys expressed concerns about security at the festival.

Bands Cite Safety Concerns

"As the Roskilde Festival promoters have been unable to guarantee an improvement in safety and out of respect to those who have been affected by this tragedy, both Oasis and the Pet Shop Boys have now pulled out of the festival," the statement read.

"Oasis and Pet Shop Boys feel that out of respect for those who have died and their families it is inappropriate to go ahead with tonight's performances," the statement continued. "Furthermore, they feel that it is essential the area around where the tragedy took place is closed down and isolated to allow the appropriate authorities to fully investigate the causes of the tragedy, and to learn how it can be prevented from ever happening again. This is essential for the future confidence in, and safety of, open air music events of this nature."

On Saturday, Pearl Jam's official Web site (www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam)

reported that the band's two remaining European shows, in Wechter,

Belgium, on Sunday and Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Monday, had been

canceled. A U.S. tour is scheduled to begin Aug. 3 in Virginia Beach, Va.

Spokespersons for Pearl Jam were unavailable for comment Saturday.

Organizers of the Roskilde festival, held annually since 1971 on a farm about 25 miles west of Copenhagen, decided to continue the four-day event after the tragedy Friday night. "Life is stronger than death," Roskilde spokesperson Leif Skov was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

The statement on the festival's Web site went on to criticize the two groups that withdrew, claiming the cancellations could lead to further problems.

Precautions Taken

"The two sides (Oasis and Pet Shop Boys on one and the Roskilde Festival on the other) disagree as to what would cause the greatest risk — going through with the concerts or canceling — and changing the program without two of the main attractions," the statement read. "As mentioned the authorities have checked the security conditions and preparations and approved them.

"The Roskilde Festival management are of the opinion that the bands that decide to follow through with their concerts on the existing and approved conditions show both respect and consideration to the dead, their families and the audience," the statement continued.

Festival organizers, who did not respond to telephone calls Saturday, ended the statement on a conciliatory note.

"Despite a string of opposing opinions the two sides agree to communicate their sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of those killed," the statement concluded.

The Roskilde Festival was expected to draw crowds in excess of 100,000 over its four-day run, with scheduled performances by Bush, Lou Reed and Live, among others.

The deaths echoed a similar tragedy that occurred before a Who concert in Cincinnati in December 1979, when 11 concertgoers were killed in a stampede for general admission seats. In a show the Who played Saturday night in Holmdel, N.J., bandleader Pete Townshend alluded to the Roskilde incident before the band launched into "Let's See Action," which was not on the playlist the night before.

"Please the people, audiences/ Break the fences/ Nothing is," lead singer Roger Daltrey sang. "Let's see action, let's see people/ Let's see freedom up in the air/ Let's see action, let's see people/ Let's be free, let's see who cares."