Ed Sheeran breaks silence on Gaza at Philadelphia concert, calls crisis ‘unjustifiable’

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has publicly addressed the Gaza crisis at his first concert since controversy engulfed his Loop Tour, describing the situation in the Palestinian territory as “catastrophic and unjustifiable” while also expressing concern over attempts by concert venues to influence what performers can say on stage.

Opening his concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, September 19, Sheeran spoke to the crowd about the controversy that has followed the removal of rapper Macklemore from his tour over pro-Palestinian remarks. Several other supporting artists subsequently withdrew, leaving Sheeran to perform the Philadelphia show without an opening act or his regular backing band.

‘Catastrophic and unjustifiable’

Sheeran, who has generally avoided political commentary during his career, acknowledged the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel and described them as horrific. He then turned to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying the scale of civilian deaths, including those of children, had left him heartbroken.

“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,” Sheeran told the audience. He also referred to developments in the occupied West Bank, saying the “systemic injustice” there could not be overlooked.

The 35-year-old singer said he had been speaking to people with differing perspectives to determine how he could contribute towards helping victims. He acknowledged that he did not know enough about the conflict and said he was continuing to listen and learn. Sheeran also apologised to fans while discussing the difficult decisions surrounding the tour, saying he had made mistakes during the controversy.

How Macklemore row began

The controversy began after American rapper Macklemore, who had been opening for Sheeran on the US leg of the Loop Tour, made pro-Palestinian remarks during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including saying “Free Palestine”.

Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining dates on the tour. Sheeran has maintained that he did not make the decision, saying Macklemore’s tour contract was with the promoter rather than with him. Sheeran said earlier that venues hosting upcoming concerts had indicated that shows could be cancelled if Macklemore remained on the bill. He said he had spent days speaking with venues, promoters and activists in an attempt to reach a compromise, but the promoter and venues ultimately made the decision.

Macklemore, meanwhile, has said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose organisation owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, was among those who opposed his participation. Sheeran is scheduled to perform at Gillette Stadium on September 25 and 26. Kraft has defended his position, saying he did not want his venue to provide a platform for what he regarded as hate speech.

Supporting acts walk out

Macklemore’s removal triggered a wider upheaval around the Loop Tour. Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Sheeran’s regular live collaborators Beoga withdrew from upcoming performances, with some explicitly citing solidarity with Palestinians.

Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking in support of oppressed people when announcing his decision to withdraw from future dates. The exits meant Sheeran took the stage in Philadelphia without the opening acts originally scheduled for the concert. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field before the performance, protesting Macklemore’s removal and raising concerns about censorship.

Sheeran raises free speech concerns

While distancing his concerts from partisan politics, Sheeran used his Philadelphia appearance to raise a broader concern about venues exercising control over performers’ speech. He said he was “deeply worried” about the prospect of venues pre-approving content and performances, arguing that such restrictions should not become normal in countries that protect freedom of expression.

At the same time, Sheeran said his concerts should remain spaces where people holding opposing views could stand alongside each other. His music, he said, was intended to centre on love, hope and unity rather than turn concerts into political forums. The remarks marked a shift from Sheeran’s position earlier in the week, when he had stressed that audiences did not attend his concerts expecting political commentary.

Aid pledge enters row

The controversy has also resulted in pledges of financial assistance for people affected by the conflict. Macklemore announced that he would donate $1 million from his tour earnings to organisations supporting Palestinians and challenged Kraft to match his contribution. Kraft subsequently said Sheeran had asked him to match a separate $2 million donation towards humanitarian aid in the region. According to Kraft, the two also planned to encourage other venue owners to contribute.

For Sheeran, however, the Philadelphia performance was also an attempt to move beyond a week in which the dispute over Macklemore transformed one of the world’s biggest concert tours into a wider debate over Gaza, artistic expression and the power of promoters and stadium owners to determine what can be said from a concert stage.