Ed Sheeran used his concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field to speak publicly about Gaza, calling the situation there “catastrophic and unjustifiable” amid the controversy surrounding the removal of Macklemore from his tour.
Sheeran told the audience on Saturday that he wanted his music and performances to focus on “unity and humanity, not politics”, but said he could no longer conceal his feelings about the conflict.
“What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7th was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain,” he said. “What is happening in Gaza is a catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
He added that he was heartbroken by the destruction and civilian deaths, particularly those of children, and said “the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked”.
The remarks came after a turbulent week on Sheeran’s Loop Tour. Macklemore, who had been due to open the US dates, was dropped after saying “Free Palestine” during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 5.
Macklemore has claimed he was removed after Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, contacted Sheeran. Kraft’s company owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran was scheduled to perform on Friday, and Kraft has said Macklemore’s remarks went too far and that the rapper would not be welcome at the venue.
Sheeran has said he was not responsible for the decision. In an Instagram post, he said Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, made the choice to remove Macklemore, adding that he had tried to “build a bridge” between the rapper, Kraft and other venues.
Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe were brought in as replacements before withdrawing in solidarity with Macklemore. Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, also pulled out of planned South American dates with Sheeran earlier this week.
“I am deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content performance,” Sheeran told the Philadelphia crowd.
Sheeran said he was speaking to people “across the spectrum” about making a contribution to those affected by the conflict. Macklemore said on Wednesday that he would donate $1 million to Palestinian relief efforts and challenged Kraft to match it.
A spokesperson for Kraft has said that Kraft and Sheeran have each agreed to donate $2 million, although no destination for the money has been specified. Both Kraft and Macklemore have said they have made donations supporting Palestinians.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather near Philadelphia concert
About 50 pro-Palestinian protesters assembled near Broad and Pattison streets in South Philadelphia before the concert. They chanted, waved flags and held signs criticising Sheeran.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Philadelphia sent an open letter to the Philadelphia Eagles, the stadium operator and the city, asking who made the decision to remove Macklemore. It said the dispute raised wider questions about free speech and whether his support for Palestinian rights had influenced the decision.
Philadelphia police deployed officers, including members of the Civil Affairs Division, to monitor possible protests. Police commissioner Kevin Bethel said protesters would be allowed to express their First Amendment rights provided they did not engage in illegal or inappropriate behaviour.
Some fans said they had arrived early or used public transport because of the expected demonstrations. Others expressed disappointment that the opening acts, including Macklemore, would no longer perform.
Sheeran has performed much of the Loop Tour alone, although the Irish folk band Beoga has joined him for several songs at concerts.
