Ed Sheeran returned to his Loop Tour after opening act Macklemore was dropped from the lineup for making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage.
“Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran, 35, told fans during the Saturday, September 19, concert at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, per widely-circulated videos via social media. “I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised. I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal.”
He went on to say, “This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry.”
The singer-songwriter explained that he never wanted to “disappoint fans,” adding that he never intended to “be an activist.”
“This has put me in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech on the most complex issue on the planet,” Sheeran noted. “[My music] has always been a safe space for everyone. That matters hugely to me.”
He added, “Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am. That is why I’m here tonight — on my own — continuing my own tour.”
Sheeran addressed promoters who allegedly threatened to cancel his concerts if he’d kept Macklemore on the bill for his Loop Tour, saying he was “deeply worried” about interference in freedom of speech matters.
“It should never happen in the free world,” Sheeran insisted.
Admitting that he’s never wanted to be “a political commentator of any kind,” the four-time Grammy Award winner said he wanted his shows to be about “unity, not division” and “humanity, not politics.”
“But this is a humanitarian issue [in Palestine] and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,” he told fans. “What happened in Israel on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable — and disproportionate. … The systemic injustice we see unfolding in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
A report issued by the United Nations in June stated that 20,000 children have been killed and more than 44,000 have been injured in the region since hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023.
“I’m listening and learning. I do not know enough [about the conflict],” Sheeran said from the stage on Saturday.
As he seemingly broke down, Sheeran told fans, “I’m honestly so grateful that you’re here tonight with me.”
Sheeran headlined two concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month, where Macklemore, 43, was one of three opening acts alongside BIIRD and Lukas Graham, respectively. During both of the “Thrift Shop” rapper’s sets, he chanted “Free Palestine” and played his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
After alleged pressure from stadiums hosting Loop Tour concerts this fall, Sheeran’s tour promoter dismissed Macklemore from the lineup ahead of his remaining eight scheduled gigs.
“Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from the Loop Tour. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” Macklemore wrote in a social media statement shared Monday, September 14. “We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families.”
Describing Sheeran as “my friend” that he’s known for 13 years, Macklemore claimed that they had “difficult conversations” about the tour’s future.
“He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,” Mackelmore alleged. “I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement. I hope we both continue listening, studying what is happening in Palestine and wrestling with what neutrality means in a moment like this. My door will always be open to continuing that conversation.”
The “Thinking Out Loud” artist issued a statement the next day, decreeing that he still respects Macklemore and denied the responsibility of dropping his pal from the Loop Tour roster.
“After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” Sheeran wrote in his Tuesday, September 15, statement. “I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.”
The British singer-songwriter further stressed that he hopes to use his platform and music “to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together.”
“Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love and a place for everyone to feel welcome,” he added at the time. “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”
Days later, Sheeran’s fellow Loop Tour openers Graham, 34, and Finneas, as well as guest band Beoga left the concerts in solidarity with Macklemore.
The “Can’t Hold Us” rap star has since remained committed to sharing his message, announcing on Wednesday, September 16, that he would donate his $1 million Loop Tour salary to Palestinian organizations. After challenging Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to do the same, Kraft, 85, announced that Sheeran pledged $2 million to provide humanitarian aid that the businessman matched.
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