Ed Sheeran canceled his two upcoming concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, due to severe weather warnings affecting Boston and New England. Messina Touring, the tour’s promoter, announced the cancellations following consultations with local officials, prioritizing the safety of fans, staff, and everyone involved in the productions. Ticket holders who purchased through Ticketmaster will receive automatic refunds, while others can obtain refunds at their original point of purchase.
Weather Disruptions at Gillette Stadium
High wind warnings remain in effect across the region until the early hours of Sunday, prompting local officials to urge drivers to minimize travel. The weather-related halt interrupts the singer’s current US tour, which recently faced intense scrutiny regarding the lineup and public commentary surrounding support acts.
Tour Lineup Controversy and Venue Pressure
Last week, the tour made headlines when US rapper Macklemore was removed from the bill following on-stage remarks regarding Gaza, where he called for a “free Palestine,” referred to a “genocide,” and displayed imagery of the conflict. Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, contacted Sheeran directly to state that Macklemore would not be permitted to perform at the venue, characterizing the rapper’s remarks as hate speech.
Sheeran stated that the promoter made the decision to drop Macklemore rather than the artist himself. Messina Touring confirmed that venue owners, including Kraft, would have refused to let the concerts proceed if Macklemore remained on the bill. The rapper’s removal triggered further disruptions as other supporting and backing artists, including Irish acts Beoga and Aaron Rowe, withdrew from the tour in protest.
Artist Response and Subsequent Macklemore Tour Dates
Returning to the stage last Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sheeran performed with a new backing band and his b-stage removed. Addressing the audience, he admitted he questioned whether he wanted to continue as an artist following the controversy, describing the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” He apologized to fans, stating he had to make difficult decisions and acknowledging mistakes.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Haggerty, known professionally as Macklemore, announced a separate European tour titled “Free Palestine” on Thursday, with scheduled performances in Dublin, London, and Paris.
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