Ed Sheeran may be forced to cancel shows at the centre of Macklemore scandal

Ed Sheeran could be forced to cancel his shows at Gillette Stadium, and it has nothing to do with the fact Macklemore was kicked off his Loop Tour.

TMZ has reported a major storm over the Northeast US has been wreaking havoc on the construction of Sheeran’s stage inside the Massachusetts stadium.

As of Thursday (local time), only part of the stage for Sheeran’s Friday show had been erected according to production insiders.

The rest of the setup was allegedly on hold as executives wait to see if forecast rain and winds become a problem at the open-air venue.

Poor weather could force Sheeran’s team or Gillette Stadium executives to cancel the show at short notice if it poses any danger to concert-goers, or could cause damage to stage pieces and other equipment.

The Daily Mail reported no decisions have been made about the Friday or Saturday concerts yet.

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The venue’s billionaire owner Robert Kraft previously said he would not allow these shows at Gillette Stadium to go ahead if Macklemore performed, which allegedly prompted Sheeran’s team to boot the rapper from the tour.

Meanwhile, Macklemore has announced three new shows in his own concert series raising funds for Palestinian-focused charities after being kicked off for his “Free Palestine” speech and performing his protest song, Hind’s Hall.

The American rapper took to social media to announce the Dublin, Paris and London shows, with a little jibe at recent events.

“So, as you all know, my schedule freed up a bit,” he joked about the saga, that is still playing out and threatening to derail the remainder of Sheeran’s US dates.

He said in light of the media storm that’s come from him being removed as an opening act on the English singer’s US tour dates – at the insistence of billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft – he’s reached out to other like-minded artists to pull together this new concert series.

“If these last couple of weeks have shown us anything, it’s that something has shifted over the last three years,” he added.

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“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.

“It’s 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work any more. People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community. To use the stage for more than entertainment. To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.

“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. 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.”

Macklemore is yet to say who will be joining him in the line-up, but after a number of Sheeran’s other opening acts pulled out of the Loop Tour in solidarity with the rapper, the 43-year-old said he’s been calling around.

“I’ve spent the last week reaching out to artists who have shown up and used their stages to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, regardless of the consequences,” he said.

“Artists who understand that our platforms mean very little if we’re only willing to use them when it’s safe.

“Because of how quickly all of this has come together, a lot of the conversations, schedules and details are still being worked out. But this is a moment of momentum, and there is work to be done.”

He also promised US dates would be announced shortly in addition to the European shows, with “all proceeds will benefit organisations supporting the Palestinian people and movement”.

Aussie artist Tones & I – who has been at the centre of her own saga this week – was among the musicians who added love hearts as comments to the post, as did Garbage and Kneecap.

Irish singer Aaron Rowe, who was one the openers who left the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore, also commented on the post, simply using Palestinian flags.

In addition to Rowe, Finneas (aka Billie Eillish’s brother), Danish pop band Lukas Graham and Irish band Beoga, all left Sheeran’s tour after Kraft argued Macklemore had crossed a line during his two-minute speech at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4.

Sheeran’s apolitical public stance was called into question after he tried to explain to fans the decision went over his head and was not his call to make.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran told fans in a lengthy statement online.

“Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”

Sheeran went on to name Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots NFL team, as the key man behind the decision who said he would not allow “hate speech” inside his venue and rallied other stadium owners to follow suit.

“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” Sheeran said.

“Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”

While Sheeran has maintained a neutral view on politics publicly, fans called out his previous support for Ukraine by performing at a charity concert as well as releasing a charity single with U2 for the same political cause.

Macklemore empathised for the position his friend and fellow musician had been put in, but hit back at Sheeran for not taking a stand regardless of the cost to him.

Turning talk into donations

Macklemore also announced he would donate his $US1 million (1.4 million) net earnings from the Loop Tour to various pro-Palestianian organisations, challenging Kraft to match him.

The billionaire businessman went on to pledge $US2 million ($2.8 million) to humanitarian relief and various charities.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft said in a statement announcing the donation.

“I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid the region in fighting this humanitarian crisis.

“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

Ed still reeling

Sheeran, 35, returned to the stage on Saturday for the first time since the saga played out, addressing the crowd in Philadelphia while fighting back tears.

“People will say what they want, but I am doing this for you,” the Thinking Out Loud singer told the crowd.

“I love you. I love this.”

While he has vowed to keep performing for his fans, ticket sales have taken a hit with some fans demanding refunds.

At the same time, Sheeran’s social media following has also taken a hit, shedding half a million followers since the controversy began.