Ed Sheeran's tour in the United States has faced another setback, as concerts scheduled for Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts have been cancelled due to severe weather conditions. The stadium announced that the shows, planned for Friday and Saturday, were cancelled in anticipation of a major storm expected to bring heavy rainfall. The announcement was first reported by TMZ.
In a statement, the venue said, "Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, the promoter and tour have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium." The stadium emphasized that the safety of fans, staff, and everyone involved was the top priority.
Tickets for the concerts are refundable, and Ticketmaster ticketholders will receive automatic refunds.
This cancellation follows the recent expulsion of rapper Macklemore, who was set to open for Sheeran's US leg of the tour. Macklemore was removed after expressing support for Palestine during a performance in New Jersey, which led to backlash and calls for a boycott of the concert. The incident highlighted the influence of pro-Israel figures in the entertainment industry and reflected a shift in public opinion regarding Israel in the US.
In response to the controversy, several artists scheduled to perform with Sheeran announced their withdrawal from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Reports indicate that ticket prices for Sheeran's concerts have decreased by more than 10 percent recently, according to TicketData. Macklemore has since announced his own tour to support Palestine, with proceeds going to organizations aiding Palestinians. He stated, "Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore. People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community. To use the stage for more than entertainment. To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it."