Ed Sheeran got visibly emotional while addressing the controversy surrounding his tour during his first concert since Macklemore was removed from the lineup over his pro-Palestinian comments.
The 35-year-old singer kicked off his Saturday night show at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field with an emotional speech, telling the packed crowd he wanted to address the events of the past week before getting into the music.
“This is not usually how I would open the show,” Sheeran said, explaining that he wanted to say a few words about everything that had unfolded.
He acknowledged that while he’s accustomed to criticism over his music, the backlash this time was about something much bigger.
“I am making mistakes,” Sheeran said. “And I’m so, so sorry.”
Sheeran Addresses the Macklemore Fallout
The controversy erupted after Macklemore, who had been opening Sheeran’s North American Loop Tour, made pro-Palestinian comments during a performance in New Jersey earlier this month, including saying “Free Palestine.”
Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining U.S. dates. Sheeran later said the decision came after pressure from venues and that multiple stadiums indicated they would not host the shows if the rapper remained on the bill.
The fallout didn’t stop there. Other supporting acts and Sheeran’s touring band subsequently withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, leaving Sheeran to perform Saturday’s Philadelphia show without his usual opening acts.
The concert’s start time was also pushed back from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the stadium ahead of the performance as the controversy continued to draw attention.
‘I’ve Never Wanted to Be an Activist Musician’
During his speech, Sheeran said he has never wanted his career to center around political activism.
“I’m not someone who has ever wanted to be an activist musician,” he said, explaining that he instead found himself caught in a much larger conversation about free speech and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Sheeran said his shows have always been intended to be welcoming spaces for everyone and that continuing to perform was important to him because of his commitment to his fans.
“My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone,” he said. “That matters hugely to me.”
He also expressed concern about venues having influence over what artists are allowed to say or perform onstage.
Sheeran said he was “deeply worried” about the idea of venues determining what performers can do, arguing that such restrictions should not happen in what he described as the “free world.”
Sheeran Speaks Out About Gaza
Sheeran also directly addressed the Israel-Gaza conflict, acknowledging that moving forward with his Philadelphia performance could lead people to interpret his decision as a political statement.
The singer said he has deliberately avoided acting as a political commentator throughout his career because he wants his music to focus on “unity” and “humanity.”
But he said he could no longer stay silent about the humanitarian crisis.
“This is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,” Sheeran said.
He condemned the Oct. 7, 2023, attack at the Nova music festival in Israel, describing it as horrific and saying it compounded centuries of Jewish suffering.
At the same time, he described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate” and said the situation in the West Bank also cannot be ignored.
Sheeran said he was still trying to figure out the best ways to help people affected by the conflict and acknowledged that he is continuing to listen and learn.
‘Everyone Is Welcome’
By the end of his speech, Sheeran was visibly emotional as he thanked the Philadelphia crowd for showing up amid such a turbulent week.
He emphasized that his concert would remain a place where people with different opinions could stand alongside one another.
© GettyThe singer said fans don’t have to agree on everything to share the same space or enjoy the music together.
For Sheeran, the night ultimately came back to what he said he wants his concerts to represent: people with opposing views coming together to sing the same songs.
Despite the controversy surrounding the tour, he continued with the performance, telling the crowd how grateful he was that they had chosen to spend the night with him.
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