Ed Sheeran’s upcoming concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, are facing uncertainty after a powerful nor’easter prompted production crews to pause construction on the concert stage. Sheeran is scheduled to perform at the stadium on September 25 and 26 as part of his LOOP Tour, but reports indicate that heavy rain and strong winds could make the open-air venue unsafe.
According to TMZ, sources involved with the production said the stage had been partially assembled Thursday morning before crews were instructed to stop construction later that day. Producers were reportedly considering whether the partially completed structure should be dismantled because of the approaching storm.
The weather disruption comes just hours before the first scheduled performance, leaving fans waiting for an official decision. Gillette Stadium and Sheeran’s official tour listings still show the September 25 and 26 concerts as scheduled.
Severe Weather Creates Safety Concerns
The approaching nor’easter is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to New England, creating particular concerns for a large outdoor concert production. TMZ reported that another stadium source said most of the preparations were already complete, with lighting among the remaining elements being tested Thursday night in case Friday’s show could proceed.
At this point, however, there has been no confirmed cancellation or postponement. A separate report from The Economic Times also noted that no official announcement had been made regarding cancellation or rescheduling.
The situation could therefore change quickly depending on weather conditions and safety assessments.
The potential weather cancellation is the latest complication surrounding Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium dates. The concerts have already been affected by the controversy surrounding Macklemore, who was removed as an opening act following his outspoken pro-Palestinian comments.
Several other performers subsequently withdrew from the tour. Sheeran then performed his September 19 Philadelphia concert without the usual supporting lineup and addressed the controversy directly from the stage. Reuters reported that Sheeran also described the situation in Gaza as
“catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate.”
A pro-Palestinian protest was also planned outside the second Gillette Stadium show, adding another layer of attention to the weekend.
The concerts have also become the subject of a ticket refund dispute unrelated to the incoming storm. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said her office received complaints from nearly 200 consumers who were struggling to obtain refunds after the changes to the concert lineup.
Ticketmaster subsequently agreed to provide a path for eligible Massachusetts customers to request refunds. Those complaints were made before the latest weather concerns and were primarily connected to changes involving the show’s opening acts.
For now, Sheeran’s official schedule continues to list both Gillette Stadium performances. Whether the concerts ultimately go ahead will depend on the storm and the safety of the production setup.