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Sheeran Cancels Massachusetts Shows Amid Storm
Confirmed
In Short: Sheeran maintained that the decision to cancel the shows was not his, and the venue noted that refunds are available at the point of purchase for Ticketmaster purchasers.
Ed Sheeran canceled his two planned concerts in Massachusetts this weekend due to severe weather alerts across the region, according to a statement from the venue.
The shows, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, were part of Sheeran's US leg of the Loop tour.
Sheeran had been due to play back-to-back nights at Gillette Stadium, but severe weather warnings in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend forced the cancellation.
The storm, expected to bring heavy wind and several inches of rain, could pose a danger to fans in the open-air stadium.
The timing of the cancellations is notable given the recent controversy surrounding Sheeran’s tour, particularly the removal of rapper Macklemore due to pro-Palestinian remarks.
The Loop Tour is now scheduled to resume in Atlanta on October 3.
The storm may be remembered for its destructive coastal flooding and severe beach erosion, especially along eastern Long Island and the Massachusetts coast.
The cancellation comes amid major controversy surrounding Sheeran’s ongoing U.S. tour, including protests and a petition asking for Macklemore's removal.
The storm prompted the cancellation, but the owner of Gillette Stadium, Robert Kraft, has been in the headlines recently due to the controversy surrounding Sheeran and Macklemore.
Background
Ed Sheeran's upcoming concerts in Massachusetts have been canceled due to severe weather warnings.
Ed Sheeran canceled his concerts in Massachusetts this weekend due to severe weather warnings.
What's confirmed
- It said: “Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend, the promoter and tour have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium." The venue added that fan and staff safety was the priority.
- The shows were scheduled for Friday and Saturday evening following major controversy surrounding Sheeran’s tour The shows were scheduled for Friday and Saturday evening following major controversy surrounding Sheeran’s tour Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later?
- Ed Sheeran’s shows at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts have been canceled, The Independent has confirmed.
- Staff at the stadium told The Independent the concert had been canceled due to bad weather as a huge nor’easter storm approaches the area.
- The “Thrift Shop” musician claimed that billionaire Kraft — who owns Gillette Stadium — personally called Sheeran to say he would not be allowed to perform at the venue.
- The fallout continued when Sheeran’s other opening acts withdrew, while protesters gathered outside his first solo concert last week.
- “This storm may be remembered for its destructive coastal flooding and severe beach erosion, especially along eastern Long Island and the Massachusetts coast,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said.
- The news comes amid major controversy surrounding Sheeran’s ongoing U.S.
- Sheeran later responded by stating he would not be drawn into a public debate about the Gaza war and that it was “the promoter’s decision” to remove Macklemore.
- “The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority.” The stadium said tickets are refundable and that Ticketmaster ticketholders would receive automatic refunds.
What's still developing
- In a statement, the venue said the shows could not go ahead after consultations with local officials.
- For, not one but two of the superstar’s stadium shows have been abruptly cancelled, with the first axed just hours before it was due to take place.
- Sheeran maintained that the decision was not his, while FINNEAS and several other support acts subsequently withdrew from scheduled dates.
- Less than two weeks after being sensationally removed from Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour’ amid fallout from his pro-Palestinian remarks, the rapper has announced his own arena trek.
- Almost 200 people have been struggling to obtain refunds from Ticketmaster for Sheeran’s shows, prompting Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campell to step in and demand Ticketmaster give people their money back.
- Ed Sheeran slammed by Zack Polanski for 'poor decisions' amid Macklemore row Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour following Ed Sheeran controversy Beverley Callard makes desperate plea after passing out on set amid cancer battle Discover a hidden island paradise in the Indian Ocean The controversy began when Macklemore gave a two-minute speech at his New Jersey show earlier this month, saying he wanted the people of Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them”.
- Shortly after his remarks, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition asking Sheeran and his management to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates.
- Macklemore then announced he would no longer be playing the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour.
- He said stadium owner Kraft had organised the boycott, rallying other stadium owners who ultimately gave Sheeran the ultimatum: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues”.
- Chef and Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain accused him of weaponising “white tears” while Sheeran’s estranged cousin Jethro called him a “bad human” and a “coward”.
- Sources have claimed he is “terrified” at the thought of protests at his upcoming shows and is reportedly considering going “totally off-grid” and taking a break from music altogether.
- Amid public outcry, many artists scheduled to play with Sheeran on the tour announced they would drop out in solidarity with Macklemore.