Ed Sheeran’s 2017 tour was so popular that before even releasing any new music, he has already begun to plot another North American stadium tour for 2018. Unfortunately, the fun was over for his Bay Area fans before it even started. His proposed August 21 show at Levi’s Stadium was immediately cancelled upon hearing that the arena has a strict 10 PM curfew- a rule put in place by the city of Santa Clara to appease nearby residents. Unless, that is, the power of the pop star can convince locals to change the law.
The British singer-songwriter is just finishing up the U.S. leg of his “÷”, or Divide Tour, after selling out shows in Europe, the UK, and Latin America all year, before he finishes up in Asia in October-November. The tour, which followed the release of his latest album by the same name that features hits like Shape Of You and Castle On The Hill, was so popular that he has already announced a “first batch” of stadium shows next summer.
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Sheeran will accommodate those fans who couldn’t catch him this time around, as well as fans in St. Louis, where he recently cancelled a show due to safety concerns amid protests following the acquittal of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stokely in the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith.
Sheeran was scheduled for two stops in California- he kicks off the tour leg in Pasadena on August 18 before the would-be show in Santa Clara on the 21st. However, Sheeran’s agent told NBC there would be “no way” the singer would finish up before the mandated 10 PM weeknight curfew set by the Santa Clara City Council. Mayor Lisa Gillmor says the rule fulfills a promise made to residents before the stadium was built that weeknight noise would be limited.
The San Francisco 49ers, who play at Levi’s Stadium, say they have long been at odds with the city over the concert restriction. ABC7 reports that the team asked the stadium authority, which consists of all city council members, to extend the curfew to 11 PM four times a year in exchange for a $20,000 donation to local schools and libraries per extension. The request was denied.
49ers president Al Guido elaborated on the push for a lenient curfew as it relates to the benefit of the city. “Four thousand hardworking individuals have lost their right to work, residents have lost out on millions of dollars in revenue, and music lovers have been denied an opportunity to view a world-class concert,” Guido said. This isn’t to mention that the (struggling) team itself could definitely use its cut of the earnings.
There is speculation that the cancelled Levi’s Stadium show could be replaced by a AT&T Park show, home of the San Francisco Giants, on the same date. The Giants declined to comment.
Not all hope is lost just yet for the football team, though. Mayor Gillmor released a statement on the controversy stating: “This potential concert loss is news to us. We would appreciate the Forty-Niners Stadium Management Company bringing the data and the financial details before the Stadium Authority, particularly since we just met last week.” The issue is said to be discussed tonight at the concurrent Santa Clara City Council and Stadium Authority meeting.
Tickets for Ed Sheeran’s 2018 North American tour dates will go on sale to the general public October 20, and on presale for fans who register on his website on October 16.
