Ed Sheeran performs in Philadelphia amid fallout from Macklemore tour removal

Philadelphia – Ed Sheeran took the stage at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday for the first night of his Loop Tour following a week of controversy surrounding the removal of rapper Macklemore from the tour. Sheeran opened by acknowledging the recent events, saying he hoped to say a few words before performing.

Macklemore had been dropped after several venues reportedly refused to allow him to appear because of his on-stage statements supporting Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Sheeran said he had tried to find a mutual resolution, but the venue and promoter’s decision was final. The incident led other scheduled opening acts – Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Row and backing band Beoga – to withdraw from the tour.

A small group of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside the stadium earlier in the evening, waving flags and chanting slogans. One protester said the focus was on the Palestinian cause rather than the concert itself.

Inside the arena, fans largely ignored the political backdrop and focused on the performance. Sheeran expressed uncertainty about his safety before the show, thanked the audience for their support, and emphasized that the night was meant to be enjoyable. He concluded with a brief comment on the current climate in the United States, describing it as “scary,” and expressed hope.

Ticket holders who chose not to attend were able to obtain refunds through Ticketmaster, according to several concertgoers who spoke to reporters.