Ed Sheeran opened his Philadelphia concert alone on Saturday, apologising to fans for making “mistakes” as he addressed the fallout from rapper Macklemore‘s removal from his tour over pro-Palestinian remarks.
The show at Lincoln Financial Field went ahead as a stripped-down event, with the singer performing without any opening acts. It was his first in-person response since the controversy erupted.
“I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran told the crowd.
He described the October 7, 2023 attacks as “horrific” and called the situation in Gaza “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,” saying his heart had been broken by the loss of civilian and children’s lives.
Sheeran said he took issue with the idea that venues would “preapprove” content or performers, a remark that drew applause. He maintained that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by his promoters, not by him.
Macklemore was cut from the tour after performing a song dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters and referring to “genocide” in Gaza during a September show in New Jersey, a description Israel rejects. He also said criticism of Israel was not intended as criticism of “my Jewish brothers and sisters.”
Messina Touring Group said the rapper was dropped because some venues, such as Gillette Stadium in Boston, would refuse to host the concerts if he performed. Billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, was involved in the response.
The move prompted several other artists to leave the tour in support of Macklemore, including Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel called for a boycott of Sheeran’s entire world tour.
The controversy hit ticket sales for the remaining US leg of the Loop Tour. Some ticket prices for the Philadelphia show dropped to $32 (approximately £24), and fans reported being able to obtain refunds. One couple said they had paid $450 per ticket.
A few dozen protesters waved flags near the nearest station before the show, but the concert proceeded largely unfettered.
Sheeran’s remaining tour dates are scheduled across North and South America.