Ed Sheeran’s scheduled concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have been cancelled because of severe weather warnings expected across Boston and New England.

The shows, originally set for September 25 and 26, were called off after forecasts predicted a nor’easter bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the East Coast. The decision was announced by tour promoter Messina Touring on Friday following consultations with local officials. 

The cancellations come as Sheeran’s tour faces controversy over the removal of rapper Macklemore as an opening act for the US dates. The decision has also drawn attention to the reported involvement of Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium.

Ed Sheeran concerts cancelled over severe weather

Messina Touring said weather conditions and the safety of everyone involved in the concerts were the main factors behind the decision.

“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,” Messina Touring said in a statement, adding, “The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority.”

The cancellation affects both of Sheeran’s scheduled performances at the Massachusetts venue.

Macklemore controversy adds to tour tensions

The weather-related cancellations come shortly after Macklemore was removed from the lineup for Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium shows following controversy over the rapper’s public support for Palestine.

Macklemore had been scheduled to perform as an opening act at the September 25 and 26 concerts. Kraft, whose Gillette Stadium hosts the shows, had previously confirmed that the rapper would not perform at the venue.

Kraft said Gillette Stadium had “a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech,” in a statement reported by Variety.

Sheeran later addressed the controversy during his September 19 concert, saying he did not want to disappoint his fans while also acknowledging the wider debate surrounding the issue.

“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I have never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” he said, adding, “My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honouring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am, and that is why I’m here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour.”

Sheeran breaks down during Philadelphia show

The controversy also appeared to take an emotional toll on Sheeran during his recent concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

During the show, the singer became tearful while reflecting on what he described as “a weird week”. He told the audience that some people had encouraged him to cancel the tour, while others he had known for years had distanced themselves amid the fallout over Macklemore’s removal.

“In these situations you really find out who your friends are. It’s been a weird week,” he said, adding, “It happened very quickly. At the same time, I had so many people telling me to cancel this tour and so many people I’ve known for years and years and years, they’re kind of backing away,” as cited by Page Six.

Sheeran said the continued support from ticket buyers in Philadelphia had changed his perspective. He described the concert as the best show of his life, contrasting it with what he called one of the worst weeks he had experienced.

The singer also spoke about concerns over his safety before the show and whether he would face a hostile reception from the audience.

“The world is a scary place right now, America is a scary place right now,” he said, before pointing towards the audience and adding, “This gives hope.”

Opening acts reportedly leave Sheeran's tour

The Philadelphia appearance followed the departure of all of Sheeran’s opening acts, including his backing band, amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments.

Sheeran also revealed that safety concerns had led him to change the staging of his concerts. He said the B stage had been removed because he was worried about standing in the middle of the audience area.