Ed Sheeran’s scheduled Friday and Saturday performances at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, could be disrupted by severe weather, adding another complication after the controversy surrounding former opening act Macklemore and venue owner Robert Kraft.
Production sources told TMZ on Thursday that a storm moving through the Northeast had interrupted construction of Sheeran’s stage. The concerts had already drawn attention after Macklemore was removed from the lineup over his political views.
Although part of the stage had been assembled earlier Thursday, crew members were reportedly told to pause further construction, according to a source who spoke with the outlet.
Executives were said to be considering dismantling the structure before the shows. Forecast rain and strong winds could make the outdoor performances unsafe while also posing a risk to stage equipment.
A separate venue source said the stage was otherwise prepared for Friday’s concert, with lighting the only major element still being completed. Workers were testing the lights Thursday evening.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Sheeran for additional comment.
Ed Sheeran, pictured in Los Angeles earlier this year, could be forced to cancel his Friday and Saturday shows in Foxborough, Massachusetts, because of the weather, following the controversy involving Macklemore and venue owner Robert Kraft
No official decision had been announced on whether the concerts would go ahead. It was also unclear whether the performances would be postponed or canceled if the poor weather continued, the outlet reported.
Macklemore has claimed that Sheeran dropped him from the tour after Kraft objected to his pro-Palestinian statements amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.
Several of Sheeran’s other opening acts and touring musicians subsequently withdrew from dates in support of Macklemore.
Those who stepped away included the group Beoga, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Finneas, the brother of Billie Eilish.
Sheeran addressed the controversy during his concert last Saturday at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, saying his public comments were not usually intended to be political.
‘I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve 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,’ Sheeran said.
Macklemore announced Thursday that he would launch a series of Free Palestine tour dates next month, with proceeds set to support organizations providing aid connected to Palestinian causes.
‘If these last couple of weeks have shown us anything, it’s that something has shifted over the last three years,’ Macklemore said on Instagram. ‘There has been a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation, the power of billionaires that try to censor that call, and what we expect from artists right now.’
Production sources said Thursday that a Northeast storm had delayed construction of Ed Sheeran’s stage at Gillette Stadium
A fall storm could derail the shows after the controversy involving Macklemore and venue owner Robert Kraft, pictured in 2023
Macklemore announced Thursday that he will begin a series of Free Palestine tour dates next month, donating proceeds to groups supporting Palestinian causes. He is pictured last year
He continued, ‘When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention.’
Ticket buyers had already begun seeking refunds after Sheeran removed Macklemore from the opening lineup for his North and South American tour dates.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced in a news release on Thursday that Ticketmaster had said it will honor hundreds of refund requests for the Gillette Stadium shows amid the controversy.
‘After hearing from nearly 200 consumers who were struggling to obtain refunds from Ticketmaster for Ed Sheeran’s shows at Gillette Stadium this weekend,’ Campbell said, ‘my office jumped into action to demand that consumers be provided a clear path to get their money back if they no longer want to attend due to significant changes to the lineup.
‘I encourage anyone who wants a refund to act quickly and submit their request at least 24 hours before showtime.’