Ed Sheeran Breaks Silence on Israel-Gaza & Macklemore Tour Fallout

Ed Sheeran took the stage in Philadelphia on Saturday night for his first performance since the recent removal of Macklemore from his stadium tour. Performing without any opening acts at the top of his set, Sheeran addressed the intense backlash and the complex political fallout directly to the crowd.

Speaking visibly shaken at the top of the night, Sheeran admitted he was not used to opening a show that way. He told the audience that while he is accustomed to criticism regarding his music, the recent events involved much more important matters. “I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry,” he said, adding that he never wanted to be an activist musician.

Addressing Venue Censorship and Macklemore’s Exit

The controversy ignited after Macklemore was removed from the tour following an onstage speech in support of Palestinians. Earlier in the week, Sheeran stated that the decision was not his, pointing instead to promoter Messina Touring Group and pressure from venues. He specifically noted that after learning certain venues objected to Macklemore’s MetLife Stadium comments, he spoke with owners—including Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft—who ultimately forced his hand.

“I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performers,” Sheeran told the Philadelphia audience. “This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.”

Stance on the Israel-Gaza Conflict

Seeking to clear up fan assumptions, Sheeran shared his direct stance on the ongoing conflict. He stated that he has always tried to keep his career free of political commentary to maintain unity, but felt he could no longer hide his feelings on a humanitarian level.

“What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain,” Sheeran said. “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives. The systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.” He added that he is speaking with people across the spectrum to figure out how to contribute to victims.

Ed Sheeran performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2025 (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Opening Acts Withdraw and Rebuilding the Stage

Following Macklemore’s departure, all other opening acts on the Loop Tour—including Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Row—also withdrew. Lukas Graham stated in a release that nobody’s bank balance should dictate who gets to speak or whose suffering is acknowledged.

Before performing his 2017 hit “Galway Girl,” Sheeran addressed the musician exodus, questioning how he would secure performers for a week when nobody wanted to stand on stage with him. He ultimately introduced collaborator Alicia Enstrom and other musicians who agreed to join him despite the surrounding backlash. Sheeran also revealed that he removed a secondary stage due to safety concerns, admitting he was uncertain what the audience reception would be like.