PHILADELPHIA, United States — Ed Sheeran opened a Saturday night stadium concert with remarks about Gaza and the dispute that had left his Loop tour without its original supporting acts.
Speaking at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, September 19, 2026, the British singer called the Hamas-led attacks on Israel “horrific” and described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
“This is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,” Sheeran told the crowd.
The appearance was his first concert since Macklemore was removed from the tour after making pro-Palestinian statements during an earlier performance in New Jersey.
The decision prompted other scheduled performers to withdraw and led to demonstrations outside the Philadelphia venue.
Sheeran said the previous week had forced him to confront decisions that he had not always handled correctly.
“I am so, so sorry,” he said.
He also acknowledged that he had tried to keep political disputes outside his concerts.
“I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician,” Sheeran said, “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.”
Supporting Acts Leave the Tour
Macklemore had been scheduled to open the Philadelphia concert.
He said he was dropped after voicing support for Palestinians during an appearance at MetLife Stadium and accused Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, of organising opposition among venue owners.
Kraft said the action was not intended to suppress Palestinian advocacy or minimise Palestinian suffering.
He said it was meant to preserve a “welcoming environment” at Gillette Stadium, where Macklemore had been scheduled to appear on later tour dates.
Sheeran previously said Messina Touring Group, the company promoting the tour and holding Macklemore’s contract, made the final decision.
The promoter told Rolling Stone that several venues “will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup.”
Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Finneas, and Beoga, Sheeran’s house band, subsequently withdrew from scheduled appearances.
Sheeran began the Philadelphia show without an opening act and later performed with five musicians who, he said, had three days to learn the material.
During his remarks, Sheeran said he was concerned by the prospect of venues seeking advance approval of performers’ material.
He nevertheless said he would complete his scheduled concerts, citing his commitments to audiences.
Protesters Gather Outside the Stadium
Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators assembled near the stadium before the performance and chanted, “Free, free Palestine.”
Robert Boucher, a retired surgeon from Philadelphia, said he attended to defend freedom of expression.
He said the pressure placed on Macklemore amounted, in his view, to an attempt to suppress speech.
Gwen Myrick, another demonstrator, said she joined the gathering to support the rapper’s position.
The dispute unfolded against the continuing human toll of the war. Israel began its military campaign in Gaza after Hamas-led attackers killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took roughly 250 hostages in October 2023.
More than 73,000 people have since been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Macklemore has pledged $1 million — which he said represented his net earnings from Sheeran’s tour — to six organisations assisting Palestinians.
Kraft later pledged $2 million to causes supporting people affected by the war, matching a similar donation made by Sheeran.
Sheeran told the Philadelphia audience that he had consulted people with differing views while considering how to help those harmed by the conflict.
Concert Ends With Fireworks
Inside the stadium, Sheeran performed largely alone, using his instruments and loop pedal before the newly assembled musicians joined him.
The show concluded with fireworks and the audience on its feet.
“Today has honestly been the best show of my life,” Sheeran said. “I’ve felt so much love from you guys, and I am so grateful.”
