Ed Sheeran’s Concerts at Gillette Stadium Canceled Due to Weather
Ed Sheeran’s upcoming performances at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on September 25 and 26 have been called off. The cancellation is due to severe weather forecasts that have raised safety concerns.
The promoter, Messina Touring Group, issued a statement explaining the situation: “Given the severe weather warnings affecting Boston and New England this weekend and after discussions with local officials, we made the tough decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium. The safety of fans, staff, and everyone involved is our utmost priority.”
Patrons are advised that refunds are available at the point of purchase, and Gillette Stadium shared the cancellation notice as well.
While the weather is the official reason, there has been a bit of controversy surrounding Sheeran and his former tour opener, Macklemore. Recently, Macklemore sparked backlash by vocalizing his support for Palestinians during Sheeran’s shows at MetLife Stadium. Following this, several venue owners expressed their discontent, leading to Macklemore being dropped from the tour. In a statement, Macklemore mentioned that Sheeran revealed an ultimatum from the stadium owners: if Macklemore remained on the tour, he couldn’t perform at their venues.
Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft released a statement emphasizing the venue’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment and preventing hate speech during events. He addressed the recent actions of Macklemore, pointing out: “Based on recent incidents and a history of offensive rhetoric aimed at the Jewish community, we concluded that his participation in the concerts would cross that line.” Kraft mentioned that acknowledging the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis should not lead to selecting sides that further division or promote hate.
Kraft expressed his long-standing respect for Sheeran and his music. He also said he would be open to speaking with Macklemore to discuss their shared goal of peace and an end to suffering.
Macklemore, for his part, announced plans for a “Free Palestine Tour” in Europe come October, indicating he is moving forward despite the recent fallout.
Interestingly, while the promoter cited severe weather as the reason for cancellation, social media has been abuzz with speculation. Some users humorously commented on the situation, saying things like “Mother Nature really said ‘not in Kraft’s house’,” while others joked about the “bad weather” being the refunds and social media backlash.
At this point, it remains unclear whether Sheeran’s shows will be rescheduled.
