Ed Sheeran’s two concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, could be cancelled after construction of the stage was paused ahead of a powerful nor’easter expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to New England.
Sheeran is due to perform on Friday and Saturday nights at the open-air stadium, owned by Robert Kraft. However, production sources said the weather could make it unsafe for fans and put the partially assembled stage at risk.
Stage construction was under way on Thursday morning before the crew was told to stop later that day. Senior staff were then understood to be considering whether the structure should be dismantled.
No final decision had been made, and it remained unclear whether the shows would be rescheduled if they were cancelled.
A separate stadium source said preparations were otherwise close to complete, with lighting still being tested on Thursday night in case Friday’s performance went ahead.
The weather uncertainty comes amid controversy surrounding the removal of Macklemore from the tour. Nearly 200 people had complained to Massachusetts’ attorney general about difficulties obtaining refunds from Ticketmaster after the rapper was dropped from the event.
Those refund requests were not linked to the threatened weather cancellation. Massachusetts Peace Action, an advocacy group focused on ending the Israel-Palestine conflict, had also planned to protest on the second night of Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium run.
Macklemore was removed after saying “Free Palestine” during an earlier concert, despite warnings to stop, and repeating the statement on a second night. Sheeran’s backing band and other openers subsequently pulled out in solidarity.
Sheeran performed alone with his guitar at his most recent concert in Philadelphia, the first tour date after the dispute, and became emotional while addressing the loss of his opener.
The storm threat emerged hours after Macklemore criticised Sheeran and Kraft while announcing his “Free Palestine Tour”.
