The Dave Matthews Band have postponed their weekend festival in New York over fears Hurricane Irene will hit the city.

The storm has caused chaos in the Caribbean in recent days and forecasts show it is heading up East Coast. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has declared a state of emergency and advised residents to evacuate their homes this weekend, and as a result, the Dave Matthews Band have axed their planned Caravan music festival on Governors Island.

Ticketholders for Saturday and Sunday's shows can instead attend the event on Friday, before the storm is scheduled to hit.

A post on the group's website reads, "Ticket holders for Saturday and Sunday are invited to attend the Friday event at Governors Island. The Governor of New York has issued a state emergency, therefore the DMB Caravan events on Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th have been postponed."

"We will announce the new Caravan Governors Island dates as soon as they have been confirmed."

Acts due to play the event included The Roots and Gogol Bordello.