Ed Sheeran has cancelled two US stadium shows as his Loop tour continues to be engulfed in controversy following Macklemore’s removal as a support act.
The British superstar had been scheduled to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts on Friday and Saturday night, US time, but both concerts have been called off because of severe weather.
Fans will receive refunds, with those who bought tickets through Ticketmaster to be reimbursed automatically.
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Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft said officials had been closely watching forecasts before the decision was made.
“Due to the severe weather forecast throughout the weekend, the tour has made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium,” Mr Kraft said in a statement to TMZ.
“The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority.”
The cancellation comes at an already turbulent time for Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore was dropped from the line-up following pro-Palestinian comments he made on stage earlier this month.
The decision sparked a major backlash, with Sheeran’s remaining support acts and members of his touring band subsequently withdrawing from the tour in solidarity with the US rapper.
Macklemore later claimed Mr Kraft and other stadium owners had pressured the tour to remove him.
In a lengthy Instagram statement, the rapper alleged Sheeran had been given an ultimatum that venues would refuse to host the tour if Macklemore remained on the bill.
Sheeran has maintained the decision was not his.
The Shape of You singer said he had tried to find a solution but ultimately the matter was decided by the promoter and venues.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said in a statement on Instagram, adding that the rapper’s tour contract was with the promoter rather than him.
The explanation failed to end the backlash and Sheeran later addressed the controversy during a concert in Philadelphia.
He became emotional during the performance and at one point sat on stage with his head in his hands before thanking the crowd for its support.
Sheeran also apologised for allowing the controversy to overshadow the music and acknowledged he had been forced into a highly charged debate he had never intended to enter.
He said he had been required to make difficult decisions and had made mistakes, while describing the dispute as involving both freedom of speech and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The controversy began after Macklemore used a performance earlier this month to declare “free Palestine” and argue his criticism was directed at Israel rather than Jewish people.
He said his message was one of peace and equal treatment for all people.
Macklemore has since announced plans for his own European arena tour following his departure from Sheeran’s shows.
