Nor’easter cancels Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium after controversy over Macklemore, Palestine

Ed Sheeran has canceled his concerts at Gillette Stadium near Boston this weekend because of an incoming nor’easter storm.

The canceled shows follow controversy after the artist Macklemore was dropped from the bill following his comments supporting the pro-Palestinian movement at a concert this month.

Tour promoter Messina Touring said in an Instagram post that the shows scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights were canceled because of severe weather with safety in mind.

“Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium,” Messina Touring said. “The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority.”

The area is under a wind advisory until Sunday morning and is expecting potential gusts up to 50 miles per hour. The tour promoter said refunds are available for all ticket holders.

Severe weather is expected across the New England area with officials preparing for power outages, flight cancellations and other disruptions. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) said heavy rain and winds are expected and encouraged residents to take caution.

“We’re keeping a close eye on the forecast and coordinating with local and federal public safety partners. Be ready for possible flooding and power outages,” Healey said in a statement.

Sheeran has taken heat from fans after Macklemore’s ouster from the tour.

At least four other opening acts pulled out in protest and support for the artist. Sheeran lost nearly half a million Instagram followers . Sheeran apologized to fans at one show and said the debate has cost him close, personal relationships.

Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, originally barred Macklemore from performing at his stadium and allegedly pushed other stadiums to do the same, spurring his removal from the tour.

Kraft said the stadium has a commitment to providing a welcoming environment for guests and that Macklemore’s statements, which Kraft deemed antisemitic, crossed a line. He said the artist has a history of antisemitic imagery.

“Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,” Kraft said in a statement.

Macklemore refuted Kraft’s claims of antisemitism and defended his comments as criticism of Israel, not hate against Jews.

“When criticizing Israel, opposing Zionism or saying ‘Free Palestine’ gets conflated with hatred of Jewish people, it doesn’t protect Jewish people. It protects Israel from accountability,” he said.