Ed Sheeran cancels Massachusetts concerts as storm approaches

Ed Sheeran’s Friday and Saturday concerts at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts have been canceled as a nor’easter threatens New England, cutting short a turbulent stretch for his U.S. tour.

The shows were scheduled for the stadium in Foxborough, near Boston, where the New England Patriots play. Sheeran’s touring group, Messina Touring, said it made the decision after consulting local officials about severe weather warnings across the region.

“The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority,” the group said in a statement. Refunds are available at the point of purchase, and people who bought tickets through Ticketmaster will be refunded automatically.

The multiday storm is expected to affect East Coast states from Virginia to Rhode Island, NBC News reported. Coastal flood alerts cover 33 million people, and wind gusts could reach 60 mph in coastal areas on Saturday. High-wind warnings in the Boston area extend into early Sunday, according to the BBC, which reported that officials have urged drivers to minimize travel.

The cancellations follow a dispute over the removal of rapper Macklemore as an opening act on Sheeran’s “Loop” tour. Macklemore said he was dropped after expressing support for Palestinians during tour performances in New Jersey. According to the BBC, his onstage comments included calls for “free Palestine” and references to “genocide” in Gaza, and he showed images of Gaza.

Macklemore alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pushed for his removal and organized a boycott among stadium owners, NBC News reported. The BBC reported that Kraft accused Macklemore of hate speech and said he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium. Kraft has said he did not intend to stifle support for Palestinians but wanted to ensure a “welcoming environment” at the venue.

Sheeran said his promoter, not he, decided to drop Macklemore, according to the BBC. The promoter said venue owners, including Kraft, would have refused to host the concerts with Macklemore on the bill.

The decision prompted other performers associated with the tour — Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Finneas and Sheeran’s house band, Beoga — to withdraw in protest. Returning to the stage last weekend, Sheeran told fans he “had to take and make difficult decisions – and I am making mistakes – and I’m so, so sorry,” the BBC reported.

“I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician,” Sheeran also said, according to NBC News, “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.”

On Thursday, Macklemore announced a Free Palestine Tour for the fall, NBC News reported.