Ed Sheeran Calls Gaza War 'Catastrophic' Amid Tour Turmoil
- On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Ed Sheeran performed solo at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field after all four support acts withdrew from his Loop Tour. The concert proceeded as scheduled despite the lineup shakeup and planned pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside the venue.
- Macklemore was removed from the Loop Tour after his September 4 'Free Palestine' remarks at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. Macklemore alleged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft orchestrated his removal by issuing an ultimatum to tour organizers.
- Following Macklemore's exit, support acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and the band Beoga withdrew from remaining dates in solidarity. TicketData reported 7,500 tickets remained available before the concert, with resale prices dropping significantly amid the controversy.
- During his performance, Sheeran stated he was 'not complicit' in Macklemore's removal and blamed tour promoters for the decision. Outside the stadium, demonstrators gathered, with protester Donna Greenberg describing the event as 'a cultural watershed moment' for Palestinian advocacy.
- With 16 shows remaining through December across North and South America, tour organizers face ongoing challenges maintaining venue stability. Protesters have extended calls for boycotting Sheeran's entire world tour, including upcoming Latin American dates, as industry tensions persist.
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Ed Sheeran feared things might be thrown at him, opens concert with an emotional apology - The Daily Bo Snerdley
BS BULLETIN: Ed Sheeran opened his Philadelphia concert with an emotional apology following the Macklemore controversy. Sheeran admitted he removed a stage positioned among the crowd because he was afraid of what might happen. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside after Macklemore was dropped and Sheeran’s other supporting acts quit. Ed Sheeran walked onto the stage in Philadelphia Saturday night without his original opening acts — and …
Ed Sheeran Continues His Tour but Apologizes Amidst Palestine Controversy
Ed Sheeran has found himself at the centre of a growing Palestine controversy after rapper Macklemore's pro-Palestinian performances led to his removal from Sheeran's US tour. As other artists withdrew in solidarity, Sheeran finally broke his silence in Philadelphia, apologizing and defending artists’ right to free expression, but refusing to cancel the rest of his tour.
Ed Sheeran addresses Gaza controversy during emotional Philadelphia concert
(NBC)- Ed Sheeran became emotional on stage Saturday night while publicly addressing the war in Gaza and the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal as an opening act on his tour. “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,” Sheeran told the crowd in Philadelphia. The singer spent several minutes discussing the controversy, acknowledging the Oct. 7 attack...
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