British singer‑songwriter Ed Sheeran is set to open his Loop Tour at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, marking the first show since his promoter removed rapper Macklemore from the bill amid a pro‑Palestinian controversy.
Background to the controversy
During a September appearance in New Jersey, Macklemore voiced support for a “Free Palestine” message and later described the Gaza death toll as a genocide. Those remarks prompted the Israeli American Council and the anti‑antisemitism group StopAntisemitism to demand his removal from the tour. Stadium owner Robert Kraft, who also owns the New England Patriots, publicly barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, citing what he called hate speech.
Sheeran’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, said the decision to drop Macklemore was driven by venue concerns – several locations, including Kraft’s stadium, threatened to cancel Sheeran’s concerts if the rapper remained on the lineup.
Impact on the tour
The fallout reshaped the North‑American leg of the tour. Opening acts such as Irish singer‑songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, American artist Finneas and Irish folk group Beoga all withdrew, citing solidarity with Macklemore’s stance on Gaza. The concert’s start time was pushed back to 20:00 local time (01:00 BST), nearly three hours later than originally scheduled, and no new supporting acts have been announced.
Ticket resale prices for the remaining U.S. dates have slipped, with several listings falling below market value according to TicketData. Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio also removed Sheeran’s music from its playlists after listener complaints about the controversy.
Fan reactions
Audience sentiment is split. Some fans, like Damien Given from Northern Ireland, feel Sheeran has not been transparent about the decision and criticize the perceived double standard, noting Sheeran’s earlier public support for Ukraine. Others, such as Patti Ann, view the situation as a “no‑win” for the artist, emphasizing contractual obligations and financial realities.
Industry and political response
Pro‑Palestinian groups, including the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z, plan a protest near the stadium on the day of the concert. Meanwhile, the promoter maintains that the removal of Macklemore was necessary to keep the tour viable, and Sheeran himself has reiterated that he avoids using his platform for politics to protect a diverse, young audience.
Outlook for the remainder of the tour
After the Philadelphia show, Sheeran has ten more U.S. dates scheduled through November, with stops in Atlanta, Tampa and other cities before moving on to South America and concluding in Mexico in December. The absence of opening acts and the lingering protests suggest that the tour will continue under heightened scrutiny.
- Aaron Rowe – withdrew, citing opposition to billionaire influence on free speech.
- Lukas Graham – withdrew, expressing support for Palestinian rights.
- Finneas – withdrew, urging that artists not be silenced for speaking up.
- Beoga – withdrew, supporting Macklemore’s message.
While the concert proceeds “largely unfettered,” the episode underscores how geopolitical disputes can ripple through the entertainment industry, reshaping line‑ups, influencing ticket markets and prompting public demonstrations.
