Nor'easter Cancels Ed Sheeran Concerts Amid Macklemore Fallout
Ed Sheeran's two Gillette Stadium concerts this weekend are canceled. A nor'easter prompted the decision, Robert Kraft's office confirmed Friday.
- 1 to 2 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph are forecast for Foxborough.
- 60 mph gusts are possible in coastal New England locations this weekend.
- Stage construction had been halted Thursday before the formal cancellation Friday.
- Ticketmaster purchasers will be refunded automatically, per Kraft's statement.
Why it matters: The cancellations cap weeks of turmoil for Sheeran's Loop Tour. Macklemore was removed as an opening act after making pro-Palestinian statements from the stage at New Jersey shows.
- Kraft told Sheeran that Macklemore would not be permitted to perform at Gillette Stadium, citing what he called antisemitic rhetoric.
- All other opening acts — Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga — withdrew in solidarity, as did Sheeran's backing band.
How 34 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage divides on whether Kraft's role in removing Macklemore was a legitimate safety and conduct decision or an improper exercise of venue power to suppress political speech.
Center coverage, 12 sources: The center presents the cancellation as a straightforward weather decision, with the Macklemore dispute treated as relevant backstory rather than the central lens.
TMZ5hEd Sheeran's Stage Torn Down After Robert Kraft's Stadium Shows Are Canceled
Heavy8hEd Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium Concerts Officially Canceled
Forbes2hNot Just Ed Sheeran—These Major Events Have Been Canceled Due To Weekend Storm
Sky News23hEd Sheeran concerts cancelled
BBC News7hEd Sheeran concerts cancelled becuase of bad weather
Billboard7hEd Sheeran Dates at Gillette Stadium Canceled Due to Severe Weather WarningsCNCTV News4hEd Sheeran cancels New England concerts as nor'easter looms
Deadline7hEd Sheeran’s Controversial Gillette Stadium Concerts Canceled As Boston Braces For Nor’easter
Newsweek5hEd Sheeran Weekend Concerts Canceled Over Weather After Macklemore Fallout
The Hill5hNor’easter cancels Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium after controversy over Macklemore, PalestineTNDThe National Desk7hEd Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium have been canceled due to nor'easter
USA Today7hEd Sheeran tour stops at Gillette Stadium canceledLeft coverage, 13 sources: The left frames the cancellation as an ironic coda to a story about a powerful owner suppressing pro-Palestinian speech, with Sheeran portrayed as having taken a morally weak path.
NBC News6hEd Sheeran shows at Gillette Stadium are canceled due to weather
The Independent6hEd Sheeran cancels New England concerts as Nor'easter looms
Al Jazeera5hEd Sheeran concerts at Robert Kraft stadiums cancelled over weatherBosBoston.com7hEd Sheeran cancels Gillette Stadium concerts due to approaching nor'easter
Business Insider1hNor'easter forces Ed Sheeran to cancel Gillette Stadium shows
CNN6hEd Sheeran’s concerts at Robert Kraft-owned Gillette Stadium canceled over weather concerns amid Macklemore drama
Hollywood Reporter4hEd Sheeran Gillette Stadium Concerts Canceled
Los Angeles Times5hEd Sheeran's concerts at Gillette Stadium canceled
Mediaite7hEd Sheeran Shows at Robert Kraft’s Gillette Stadium CANCELED Amid Macklemore Saga
Rolling Stone7hEd Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium Shows Canceled Due to ‘Severe Weather Forecast’TBGThe Boston Globe7hEd Sheeran’s weekend Gillette concerts canceled due to storm forecastRight coverage, 9 sources: The right notes the timing and Kraft's central role with a degree of skepticism toward the weather rationale, while presenting Kraft's objection to Macklemore's remarks as based on concerns about antisemitism.
The Sun6hEd Sheeran concert at stadium owned by billionaire at heart of Macklemore row cancelled over “bad weather”
Daily Mail8hEd Sheeran CANCELS concerts at Robert Kraft's NFL stadium... amid Macklemore tour drama
Boston Herald7hEd Sheeran weekend concerts canceled at Gillette
Fox News5hEd Sheeran's Gillette Stadium concerts called off as troubled tour faces fresh setback
New York Post6hEd Sheeran’s controversial Gillette Stadium concerts canceled amid Macklemore fallout: report
The Daily Wire22hEd Sheeran Concerts Canceled At Robert Kraft’s Stadium
The Epoch Times22hEd Sheeran Shows at Gillette Stadium Canceled Due to Nor'easter
The Washington Times6hEd Sheeran's Gillette Stadium concerts scrapped as nor'easter bears down
Twitchy6hEd Sheeran’s Messy Gillette Gigs Get the Boot — Promoter Says ‘Safety’ Timeline Says ‘Convenient’What’s next: Macklemore announced a 'Free Palestine Tour' stopping in Dublin, Paris, and London in late October.
- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell secured refund availability for fans citing lineup changes.
- Whether Sheeran's remaining Loop Tour dates will proceed without opening acts or a backing band.
- Whether other stadium owners who reportedly joined Kraft's ultimatum will face any legal or public pressure over the decision.