Ed Sheeran’s two concerts at Robert Kraft’s Gillette Stadium have officially been canceled — but this time, the problem has nothing to do with the Macklemore controversy. A major nor’easter is forcing the shows off the schedule.
Sheeran was scheduled to perform Friday and Saturday nights in Foxborough, Massachusetts, but severe weather warnings across New England led the tour, stadium management and local officials to call off both performances.
The decision came after stage construction was paused Thursday as crews monitored the incoming storm. The weather system is expected to bring heavy rain and powerful winds to the region, creating potential safety concerns for an open-air stadium and the concert infrastructure.
A representative for Kraft said stadium and tour management had been monitoring the forecast throughout the week before deciding to cancel. The promoter said the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows was the priority.
The cancellation lands at a particularly complicated moment for Sheeran’s Loop Tour, which has already been dealing with fallout from the removal of Macklemore as an opening act.
Macklemore was dropped from the remaining tour dates after his pro-Palestinian comments during earlier performances. Sheeran subsequently performed in Philadelphia without his usual supporting acts after several musicians withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore.
The Gillette Stadium shows had also become a focal point of the controversy because Kraft, whose company owns the venue, was involved in the dispute surrounding Macklemore’s participation. The situation prompted refund complaints from some ticket holders before the weather cancellation.
Then came another twist.
Just one day before the cancellation, Macklemore announced a new “Free Palestine Tour,” following weeks of controversy over his comments and departure from Sheeran’s tour.
Now, the immediate question is what happens to the canceled Gillette dates. Ticketmaster customers are set to receive automatic refunds, while other ticket buyers can obtain refunds through their original point of purchase.
For a tour already surrounded by controversy, Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium weekend ultimately ended for a much less political reason: Mother Nature had the final say.
