Ed Sheeran has addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from his Loop Tour, speaking about the situation and the Israel-Gaza war during his first concert since the rapper was dropped from the tour.
At his Loop Tour concert in Philadelphia on 19 September, Sheeran opened his set at Lincoln Financial Field by acknowledging what he described as "one of the worst weeks" of his life.
"I've never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet," he told the crowd.
Sheeran said that while he had generally avoided becoming a political commentator because he wanted his concerts to focus on "unity, not division," he felt compelled to speak about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
"What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain," he said. "What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate."
He added that he was speaking with people "across the spectrum" to determine how he could contribute to helping victims of the conflict.
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The remarks followed Macklemore's removal from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran's Loop Tour. The rapper had spoken in support of Palestinians during his opening sets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 and 5 September, where he told the crowd "Free Palestine" and performed his 2024 protest track 'Hind's Hall'.
According to reports, promoter Messina Touring Group subsequently removed Macklemore from the remaining dates after venues indicated that they would not proceed with concerts featuring the rapper. Sheeran previously stressed that the decision had been made by the promoter and venues rather than by him.
During the Philadelphia show, Sheeran also voiced concerns about venues determining what artists could say on stage.
"I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performers," he said. "This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world."
The fallout extended to other artists involved in the tour. Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, FINNEAS, and Sheeran's longtime collaborators Beoga withdrew from scheduled appearances, citing Macklemore's removal.
Sheeran brought additional musicians, including violinist Alicia Enstrom, on stage in Philadelphia to perform songs that could not be recreated solely with his loop pedal.
The singer also revealed that he had removed the show's B stage, a smaller platform situated among the audience, because he was uncertain how the Philadelphia crowd would react.
"I didn't know if I would have things thrown at me. I didn't know if people would be angry at me," he said.
Later in the night, Sheeran thanked the approximately 50,000 fans who attended and said he had questioned whether the tour — and even his career as an artist — would continue following the controversy.
Macklemore, meanwhile, said following his removal that he and Sheeran had held "difficult conversations" after the MetLife Stadium performances. While expressing personal respect for Sheeran, he maintained his decision to use the tour stage to voice support for Palestinians.
The rapper has since pledged US$1 million to Palestinian relief organisations.
Sheeran's Philadelphia concert proceeded as scheduled, beginning the next stretch of his U.S. stadium run.
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