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Sheeran Addresses Gaza Controversy at Philly Show
Confirmed
In Short: Ed Sheeran apologized to fans and addressed the Gaza controversy during his Philadelphia concert, following the removal of Macklemore as an opening act.
Ed Sheeran addressed the Gaza controversy during his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where he apologized to fans for the ongoing debate.
Sheeran admitted he was 'deeply worried' by venues influencing performances, a reference to the removal of Macklemore after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments during a previous show.
Sheeran choked up as he spoke, saying he was 'torn' and 'scared' about the situation, and that he did not know whether he would be performing that night.
The controversy began when Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran's tour after performing a politically charged song and chanting 'Free Palestine' during a show.
All of Sheeran's opening acts subsequently withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, leaving Sheeran's show without support acts.
Sheeran reiterated that he has never wanted to be an 'activist musician' or 'political commentator,' but felt compelled to address the issue after fans began making assumptions about his political stance.
Fans who spoke to the BBC were split on the controversy, with some upset that Sheeran's tour is continuing without the listed acts and requesting refunds.
Ticket prices for Sheeran's remaining shows in the US, Mexico, and South America have dropped as calls for boycotts spread.
Outside the venue, pro-Palestine activists held a rally protesting Sheeran, Kraft, and Lurie, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Sheeran altered parts of his show, including scrapping the B stage, because he was 'scared of what might happen if [he] stood in the middle.
What this adds
The controversy has prompted Sheeran to make changes to his tour, including altering his performance setup and addressing the political debate directly with his audience.
Background
US stadium owner Robert Kraft has agreed to match a $2m donation by Ed Sheeran in response to Macklemore's controversial performance at Sheeran's tour, following the rapper's removal as an opening act.
Rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's US tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during a concert.
What's confirmed
- Sheeran choked up as he addressed the crowd Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
What's still developing
- "I'm still torn," Damien Given told the BBC on whether he would attend Sheeran's show on Saturday, calling the artist's response disingenuous.
- "You can't just say now suddenly, 'I'm not political.'" Damien Given and his wife, Kellie, danced to one of Sheeran's songs at their wedding But he explained the poignant connection he's felt to Sheeran's music that has drawn him to Saturday's show.
- "If [Sheeran's] saying that he's apolitical, I would expect him to maintain those same standards for the artists that he's bringing on," he said.
- While Park, 49, believes Macklemore's ouster was unfair and a violation of free speech, she said she's mostly unbothered by the drama and prefers to separate the artist from the art.
- Harry and Meghan's media treatment echoes what happened to Diana, Earl Spencer tells BBC Watch: Diana's brother says press has 'cancerous influence' on Harry and Meghan's lives Ed Sheeran admits 'mistakes' as he addresses Macklemore controversy at Philadelphia show Bitter row over Diana book brings back unhappy times for royals I found love at an Irish matchmaking festival - and I want others to do the same From 'fusty' to fashionable - is it cool to wear M&S clothes now?
- It will mark Sheeran's first time back on stage since the controversy spiralled.
- That’s partially why it reverberated so intensely when Macklemore was bluntly dropped from his opening stint on Sheeran’s trek, a decision that came after the former called for a “free Palestine” and performed “Hind’s Hall,” a politically charged track in which Macklemore makes clear his stance that Israel has been committing genocide against Palestinians ever since the deadly Hamas terrorist attacks of 2023. (At the time of the performance, the Palestinian death count as a result of the violence had surpassed more than 73,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
- The rapper was dropped from the trek after condemning the violence in Gaza onstage.
- Macklemore has been one of music’s most vocal stars when it comes to supporting Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza over the past three years, but his stance on the issue ended up sparking a major controversy surrounding the U.S.
- During the show, Macklemore chanted “Free Palestine” and a screen behind him showed footage from the war in Gaza.
- In both the song and his statements to the crowd, Macklemore implied he believes the conflict is a genocide.
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