FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has been forced to cancel his scheduled concerts at Gillette Stadium on September 25 and 26 due to impending severe weather across New England.
Tour promoter Messina Touring announced the cancellation following consultations with local officials as a nor’easter brings forecasts of heavy rainfall, high winds, and coastal flooding to the region.
The weather-related cancellations follow weeks of disruption for the “Loop” Tour triggered by the removal of rapper Macklemore from the U.S. lineup. Macklemore was dropped after delivering pro-Palestinian remarks onstage, including shouting “Free Palestine.”
According to Macklemore, Sheeran informed him that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, stated the rapper would not be permitted to perform at the venue. Macklemore further claimed Kraft organized an ultimatum among stadium owners threatening to pull their venues if he remained on the bill.
Kraft confirmed his opposition to the rapper’s appearance, pointing to what he cited as Macklemore’s recent comments and a broader pattern of antisemitic rhetoric. Sheeran stated that the choice to drop Macklemore was made by tour promoters rather than himself.
The incident sparked a wider fallout, leading Sheeran’s backing band and all scheduled opening acts—including FINNEAS, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Lukas Graham—to withdraw from the tour in solidarity. Sheeran subsequently addressed the situation publicly and expressed his views regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Just one day prior to the Gillette Stadium cancellations, Macklemore announced his own “Free Palestine” tour, featuring upcoming stops in Dublin, Paris, and London, with proceeds designated for Palestinian humanitarian aid.