Nor’easter Forces Cancellation of Sheeran Shows

Ed Sheeran’s Sept. 25 and 26 Loop Tour concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough were canceled because a powerful nor’easter was expected to bring hazardous rain and winds to New England. Promoter Messina Touring said it made the decision after consulting local officials and prioritizing the safety of fans and staff; refunds are available at the point of purchase, and Ticketmaster purchases will be refunded automatically. The shows were canceled for weather reasons, not because of the political controversy or a planned protest. Separately, Macklemore was removed from the tour after pro-Palestinian comments he made onstage, which stadium owner Robert Kraft said crossed the venue’s line against hate speech; other opening acts and Sheeran’s backing band withdrew in solidarity. Sheeran said the promoter, not he, decided to drop Macklemore, and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell had pressed Ticketmaster to offer refunds after receiving nearly 200 complaints about the lineup changes.