Ed Sheeran opened his first Philadelphia concert since the removal of rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour, apologising to fans for the "mistakes" he has made in the wake of a free‑speech dispute.
During the show, Sheeran spoke about the 7 October 2023 Hamas‑led attacks and the situation in Gaza, calling the events "horrific" and "unjustifiable". He added that he had never intended to be an activist musician, but the controversy has forced him to confront a "humanitarian issue" he can no longer ignore.
"I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet," Sheeran told the audience. "I am making mistakes – and I am so, so sorry."
The singer explained that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by his promoters, not by him, and that the row has led to a decline in ticket sales for the remaining U.S. leg of the tour. Ticket prices for the Philadelphia show fell to as low as $32 (£24).
Sheeran also expressed concern that venues might "pre‑approve" content or performers, a point that earned applause from the crowd.
The controversy began when Macklemore performed a song dedicated to pro‑Palestinian protesters and described the Gaza death toll as genocide, a claim Israel rejects. The rapper also stated that criticism of Israel was not directed at his Jewish brothers and sisters.
Messina Touring Group said Macklemore was dropped because venues such as Gillette Stadium in Boston would refuse to host the concerts if he performed. The stadium’s owner, billionaire Robert Kraft – who is Jewish – accused the rapper of hate speech and said he was "only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas".
Following Macklemore’s removal, several support acts, including Irish singer‑songwriter Aaron Rowe and Danish musician Lukas Graham with his backing band Beoga, quit the tour in solidarity. The artists argued that the decision represented a chilling effect on free speech.
Outside the venue, protesters waved flags in support of the Palestinian people, while the concert proceeded largely without interruption. Some ticket holders were able to obtain refunds, although Ticketmaster and Messina Touring Group did not confirm reimbursement.
Sheeran concluded that the concert remains a place where "everyone is welcome" and that he is committed to his fans despite the uncertainty about whether the tour would continue.
The remaining dates of the Loop Tour are scheduled across North and South America.