Ed Sheeran’s scheduled performances at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts have been called off due to severe weather alerts, adding to the challenges faced by the tour following the removal of opener Macklemore over pro-Palestinian remarks.
Earlier in the tour, Macklemore was removed from the U.S. leg after stadium owners, including billionaire Robert Kraft, threatened to cancel Sheeran’s shows if the rapper stayed on the lineup. This led to a chain reaction as other openers withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore.
The cancellation of Sheeran’s shows at Gillette Stadium on Friday and Saturday is a response to weather forecasts predicting strong winds of up to 64 kilometers per hour in Foxborough, where the stadium is situated. The decision was made in consultation with local authorities, as confirmed by Messina Touring, Sheeran’s touring group, in an Instagram statement.
All ticket holders will receive refunds through the original point of purchase. This development comes shortly after Macklemore announced his own tour supporting Palestinians, criticizing the influence of the “billionaire class” on deciding who gets a platform.
Before being removed from the lineup, Macklemore had performed at two shows in early September at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. During these performances, he voiced support for Palestine, leading to his expulsion from the tour due to concerns raised by Kraft and others.
Sheeran emphasized that the decision to drop Macklemore was driven by venues and promoters and stood by that choice. Despite expressing dismay at the conflict, Sheeran defended his decision not to take a public stance on the matter.
The tour’s openers and Sheeran’s backing band withdrew from the tour after Macklemore’s removal, citing the need to speak out on issues like war and civilian casualties. The cancellation of the Massachusetts shows comes after the state’s attorney general ensured consumers could receive refunds due to lineup changes.
Ticketmaster initially did not offer refunds for lineup changes, but after intervention from the attorney general’s office, exceptions were made for the affected shows. The controversy surrounding the tour has led to decreased ticket prices and calls for fans to boycott Sheeran’s performances by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
The handling of the tour’s setbacks and controversies has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of musicians in addressing political issues, with critics analyzing Sheeran’s responses and actions.