Ed Sheeran’s two shows at Robert Kraft’s Gillette Stadium have been cancelled due to “severe weather warnings” – bringing an unexpected end to weeks of controversy around whether the gigs would go ahead without Macklemore.
The ‘Loop’ tour dates had been scheduled to take place at the Foxborough, Massachusetts stadium yesterday and today (September 25 and 26), but promoter Messina Touring confirmed shortly before the first show that both had been scrapped.
“Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium,” they said.
“The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority.”
Ticketmaster purchases will be refunded automatically, with refunds otherwise available from the original point of purchase.
The natural turn of events comes after the Gillette dates became the centre of a heated debate over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour.
The rapper had been supporting Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month when he made an impassioned speech in support of Palestinians, calling for a “free Palestine” and saying that “all human beings” should be treated with “dignity, respect and equality”.
His performance drew criticism from the Israeli-American Council and others, while Gillette Stadium owner Kraft said he considered Macklemore’s performance to include rhetoric and imagery that was “deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community”.
Macklemore subsequently said he had been dropped from the remaining ‘Loop’ shows, claiming Kraft had objected to him appearing at Gillette and had contacted other stadium owners.
Sheeran said that the ultimate decision had been taken by the promoter after venues indicated that they would pull shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. He insisted he was “not complicit” in the rapper’s removal, saying he had spent days trying unsuccessfully to find a solution.
The dispute then snowballed. FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga all withdrew from their remaining support slots in solidarity with Macklemore, while members of Sheeran’s backing band also left the tour.
Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia last weekend and apologised for “mistakes” in his handling of the controversy, revealing that the fallout had made him question whether he wanted “to be an artist at all”.
He also described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable”, while condemning the October 7 attacks in Israel and saying his aim was to create concerts where people of different views could come together.
He performed without his original backing musicians or support acts and removed his B-stage because he was “afraid of what might happen” if he entered the middle of the crowd.
Macklemore, meanwhile, has since announced his own ‘Free Palestine Tour’ of the UK and Europe, with all proceeds set to benefit organisations supporting Palestinians.
A powerful nor’easter is moving along the US East Coast, bringing warnings of heavy rain, damaging winds, coastal flooding and dangerous surf, and Sheeran’s shows are far from the only major music events to be affected.
The New York edition of All Things Go at Forest Hills Stadium has been cancelled across September 25-27. The festival had been due to feature Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile, Ethel Cain and MUNA, among others.
Central Park’s Global Citizen Festival has also been cancelled for the first time in its 14-year history. The event had been due to take place today, with a bill including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, John Legend and Alicia Keys.
Brooklyn’s CBGB Festival has also been pulled. Morrissey, Patti Smith, Interpol, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and Bikini Kill had been among those due to perform at Under The K Bridge today.
The Prodigy’s standalone show at the same Brooklyn venue last night, alongside Brutalismus 3000, Sextile and Lip Critic, was also cancelled because of the high-wind forecast.
Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland has been abandoned too. The three-day festival had been due to include Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani and Mumford & Sons.
AC/DC‘s ‘Power Up’ date at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, originally scheduled for last night, has been postponed and will now take place on October 2, with existing tickets remaining valid.
