ST. LOUIS – U2 and Ed Sheeran canceled shows planned in St. Louis on Sept. 16 and 17 a day after clashes took place between police and demonstrators objecting to the outcome of the Anthony Lamar Smith murder trial. A judge ruled Sept. 15 that former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley, who shot and killed Smith through the driver-side door window after a high-speed case on Dec. 20, 2011, was not guilty of premeditated murder despite potentially incriminating remarks recorded during the chase.
Protests took place soon after the verdict was announced, and the marches turned violent as demonstrators threw water bottles, rocks and bricks at police and vandalized St. Louis mayor Lyda Krewson’s home. Two officers were injured and 32 protesters were arrested.
U2 had planned to bring its 2017 Joshua Tree tour to the Dome at America’s Center on Sept. 16. “We cannot in good conscience risk our fans’ safety by proceeding with tonight’s concert,” Live Nation and U2 noted, in a joint statement on Sept. 16.
After U2’s cancellation on Sept. 16, Ed Sheeran and his promoters announce via the artist’s website that his Sept. 17 show, planned for Scottrade Center, would be postponed “for the safety of fans” and rescheduled “as soon as Ed’s schedule will allow in 2018.” Ticket holders to both the U2 and Ed Sheeran shows were issued refunds.
Other events in St. Louis that were canceled or postponed included country artist Will Hoge’s show at Delmar Hall, comedian Mike Birbiglia’s shows at The Pageant theater, PeaceFest 2017 at Harris Stowe State University, the Science Uncorked event at the St. Louis Science Center, the St.Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Harry Potter-themed concert and Shakespeare in the Streets events.
