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Ed Sheeran cancels Gillette Stadium concerts as nor'easter hits

Ed Sheeran cancels Gillette Stadium concerts as nor'easter hits

Built World Boston, MA local

Storm forces cancellation days after Macklemore dispute roiled Loop Tour

Today: Gillette Stadium concerts cancelled due to nor'easter

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Ed Sheeran cancelled both of his Gillette Stadium concerts scheduled for September 25-26 as a powerful nor'easter barreled into New England. The National Weather Service warned of gusts up to 65 mph on Cape Cod and heavy rain for Boston.

The cancellations cap a turbulent two weeks for Sheeran's Loop Tour, which lost opening act Macklemore over pro-Palestinian comments and then saw other acts and band members quit in solidarity. The storm also forced cancellation of festivals in New York, adding to a weekend of lost performances.

Why it matters

For fans it means refunds and a missed show; for Sheeran, it adds to a tour already struggling with political fallout.

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Key Indicators

2
Concerts cancelled
Both Gillette Stadium shows called off due to storm.
65 mph
Peak wind gust forecast
National Weather Service prediction for Cape Cod.
20 days
Since Macklemore incident
Tour has faced disruptions since September 5.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

5 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Gillette Stadium concerts cancelled due to nor'easter

    Today Weather Event

    Messina Touring cancels both shows citing severe weather warnings and safety.

  2. Sheeran apologizes on stage in Philadelphia

    Statement

    Sheeran calls Gaza situation 'catastrophic' and apologizes for handling of controversy.

  3. Support acts and band members quit in solidarity

    Fallout

    Several opening acts, including Finneas, depart the tour.

  4. Macklemore removed from Loop Tour

    Decision

    Robert Kraft bars rapper from Gillette Stadium; other venues follow.

  5. Macklemore makes pro-Palestinian remarks

    Controversy

    Rapper shouted 'Free Palestine' during a show in New Jersey.

Scenarios

1

Sheeran completes remaining Loop Tour dates without further incidents

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Tour promoters and industry analysts

After the storm passes, Sheeran resumes the tour with no further cancellations. The Macklemore controversy cools as new supporting acts are booked. All announced dates through the end of the year happen as scheduled.

2

Controversy reignites, more acts quit or dates cancelled

Possible Resolves by Oct 31, 2026

Discussed by: Music media, fans on social media

The Macklemore dispute continues to roil the tour. Additional acts withdraw, ticket sales slump, or Sheeran cancels a show due to protest pressure. The storm cancellations become a minor footnote compared to the internal turmoil.

3

Sheeran cancels the remainder of the tour entirely

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Industry observers, possible if financial losses mount

The combination of lost revenue from cancellations and ongoing reputational damage leads Sheeran to pull the plug on the tour. He announces an indefinite hiatus or shifts to smaller venues.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

March 2003

Dixie Chicks controversy (2003)

Lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience, 'We're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.' The remark sparked a massive backlash; country radio stations pulled their songs, and the group faced death threats.

Then

The group continued touring but saw record sales collapse and were dropped from playlists.

Now

The controversy reshaped their careers, pushing them into more overt political statements and eventually a hiatus.

Why this matters now

Like Sheeran, the Dixie Chicks faced punishment from powerful industry figures for a political remark. The episode shows how quickly public and corporate pressure can escalate and how artists navigate the fallout.

August 2016 – 2017

NFL anthem protests and owner pressure (2016-2017)

Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality. Team owners, including New England's Robert Kraft, pressured players to stand; in 2017 Kraft said he wanted players to 'stand proudly' during the anthem.

Then

Kaepernick was effectively blackballed from the league, and owners enacted policies restricting on-field protest.

Now

The protests became a national flashpoint, sparking debates about free speech, patriotism, and the power of owners over player expression.

Why this matters now

Kraft's role in Macklemore's removal is a direct echo of his stance on anthem protests, showing his willingness to enforce political boundaries at his venue. The parallel highlights the influence stadium owners wield over performers.

Sources

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