Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour, saying “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable” during his first concert since the rapper left the tour.
Sheeran spoke at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. He opened the show by addressing the criticism he faced over the past week.
“Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran said.
“I’m used to my music being criticised, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised. I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal. But 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.”
Sheeran speaks on Macklemore fallout
The singer said he never wanted to become an activist musician. However, the controversy placed him in the middle of a debate over free speech and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, 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,” he said.
“My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honouring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am, and that is why I’m here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour.”
Macklemore spoke about the war in Gaza and the West Bank during Sheeran’s Sept. 4 and 5 shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He told the crowd, “Free Palestine,” and performed his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
Messina Touring Group later announced that Macklemore would not perform on the remaining dates. The promoter said venues had warned that concerts featuring the rapper could not proceed.
Sheeran addresses Gaza
Sheeran also spoke about the wider conflict during Saturday’s concert.
“I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division,” he said.
“But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore. What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable, and disproportionate. Our hearts can be broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, children’s lives, and the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
He added, “I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening and learning because I do not know enough.”
The fallout also saw Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Finneas and longtime collaborators Beoga withdraw from Sheeran’s tour.
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