Ed Sheeran Addresses Macklemore Removal at Philadelphia Show

Views 23 Published by September 20, 2026

Ed Sheeran spoke from the stage at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, his first concert since rapper Macklemore was dropped from the Loop Tour following his pro-Palestine remarks at MetLife Stadium shows.

Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour on Saturday night at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. “Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran said. “This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry.”

Macklemore was removed from remaining Loop Tour dates following his onstage remarks in support of Palestinians during Sheeran’s September 4 and 5 shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The rapper spoke about the war in Gaza and the West Bank, told the crowd “free Palestine,” and performed “Hind’s Hall,” his 2024 protest song supporting Palestinians. The remarks drew criticism from Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, including the Israeli-American Council.

Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the U.S. leg, announced Macklemore’s removal after venues informed the promoter they would not allow concerts featuring him to proceed, citing potential cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of ticket holders. Sheeran stressed in an earlier statement that the decision was made by the promoter and venues, not by him. “Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me,” he said.

Sheeran described himself as “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and called the suffering a “human tragedy,” while explaining he has sought to keep his concerts focused on “unity, joy, escapism, love” rather than his own political views. Macklemore responded with a lengthy statement saying he and Sheeran held “difficult conversations” and that he did not regret using the tour stage to speak for Palestinians. He has since pledged to donate $1 million to Palestinian relief organizations.

The fallout extended beyond Macklemore. Singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, Finneas, and Irish folk group Beoga all withdrew from the tour, citing Macklemore’s removal in their announcements. The Philadelphia date proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.