Ed Sheeran Says Friends and Family ‘Abandoned’ Him Amid Macklemore Tour Controversy
Sheeran said 50,000 fans kept him on tour after Macklemore’s removal triggered withdrawals by other opening acts and security concerns.
- On September 19, 2026, Ed Sheeran told a crowd of around 50,000 fans at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia that he felt abandoned by friends and family during a turbulent week surrounding his Loop Tour.
- The controversy followed the September 14 removal of rapper Macklemore, whose pro-Palestinian comments at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey prompted stadium owner Robert Kraft to declare he would not "provide a platform for hate speech."
- Five acts—Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga—withdrew from the tour on September 15, citing corporate venue owners who restricted pro-Palestinian free speech. Sheeran told fans, "In these situations you really find out who your friends are."
- Sheeran quickly assembled a replacement backing band given just three days to learn his catalogue, while removing a smaller stage traditionally placed among the audience due to security concerns.
- Addressing the Israel-Gaza conflict, Sheeran condemned the October 7 attacks and described Gaza's situation as "catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate," ultimately deciding to continue the Loop Tour despite the controversies.
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Ed Sheeran Says Friends & Family Have Abandoned Him Amid Macklemore Controversy, Shares Why He Hasn't Canceled Tour
Ed Sheeran got candid with the audience at his tour on Saturday night (September 19). He was performing at Lincoln […] The post Ed Sheeran Says Friends & Family Have Abandoned Him Amid Macklemore Controversy, Shares Why He Hasn’t Canceled Tour appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Taylor Swift Supporting Ed Sheeran Privately but Won’t Make ‘Public Show’
Photo Credit: YouTube/ @TaylorSwift As controversy surrounds Ed Sheeran‘s current tour, Taylor Swift is reportedly offering her support behind closed doors. The two stars have shared stages, songs, and plenty of public affection over the years. Taylor Swift is reportedly keeping her support for Ed Sheeran private amid controversy Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour recently faced controversy after Macklemore was removed as an opening act over comments he mad…
Ed Sheeran Breaks Down on Stage, Says Friends and Family ‘abandoned’ Him Amid Macklemore Controversy
Get latest articles and stories on Entertainment at LatestLY. Ed Sheeran broke down in tears during his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, saying he felt abandoned by friends, family and people he had known for years amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour. Entertainment News | Ed Sheeran Breaks Down on Stage, Says Friends and Family ‘abandoned’ Him Amid Macklemore Controversy.
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