Ed Sheeran Expresses Regret as He Kicks Off Tour Without Openers
WHO:
CNN - Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Beoga, Robert Kraft, Karen DeAngelis, Lucinda Balubinsai, Heather Park, Palestine Legal, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
CBS News US - Ed Sheeran.
WHAT:
CNN - Sheeran stated, “This is a humanitarian issue, and I can’t hide how I feel about it anymore. What happened in Israel at the Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
CBS News US - Sheeran read what seemed to be a prepared statement to the crowd during the concert, apologizing for addressing the political situation, saying, “I understand that people have children here, and I understand that families didn’t buy a ticket to hear that first bit of the show, but that was something I felt like I needed to say.”
CNN - Ed Sheeran opened his concert in Philadelphia with an apology for his “mistakes” regarding the tour's controversy.
CNN - Macklemore was removed from the tour's US dates due to his pro-Palestinian remarks.
CNN - Sheeran stated, “I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician.”
CNN - Sheeran described the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, as “horrific” and noted that Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage.
CNN - Sheeran's other opening acts and backing band, Beoga, resigned in solidarity after Macklemore was dropped.
CNN - A small crowd of around 50 demonstrators protested near the concert venue, chanting “Free Palestine.”
CNN - TicketData noted that resale prices for Sheeran's concert tickets fell significantly after the controversy.
CNN - Sheeran welcomed a new group of musicians to the stage who learned the songs in three days.
WHERE:
CNN - The concert took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
CNN - Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered a few blocks from the concert venue.
WHEN:
CNN - The concert occurred on a Saturday night.
CNN - Macklemore was removed from the tour shortly after his performance at MetLife Stadium earlier in the month.
CNN - Sheeran's concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts is scheduled for September 25th and 26th.
WHY:
Fast Company - The controversy follows Sheeran’s decision to drop Macklemore from his 2026 Loop Tour after Macklemore voiced his support for the Palestinian people during a New Jersey concert, which included calls for the freeing of other countries like Lebanon, Congo, Cuba, Sudan, and Iran.
CNN - The controversy arose from Macklemore's pro-Palestinian comments and the subsequent backlash against Sheeran for not defending him.
CNN - Robert Kraft allegedly pressured Sheeran to drop Macklemore from the tour due to concerns over antisemitic rhetoric.
HOW:
Fast Company - Finneas, who dropped out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, wrote in an Instagram post, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”
CNN - Sheeran stated he had to make “difficult decisions” regarding the tour and emphasized that he respects differing opinions at his concerts.
CNN - The Philadelphia Police Department monitored the event to ensure public safety.
(UPDATED September 21, 2026 19:01 UTC)
Ed Sheeran has made headlines after addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a concert, stating that the events in Israel at the Nova music festival were horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. He read a prepared statement to the audience, acknowledging that while he understood families were there for entertainment, he felt compelled to speak on the issue. This comes on the heels of controversy surrounding his decision to drop Macklemore from his 2026 Loop Tour after Macklemore expressed support for the Palestinian people, a move that prompted Finneas to withdraw from the tour in solidarity.
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(UPDATED September 21, 2026 13:02 UTC)
Ed Sheeran opened his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia with an apology for the controversy surrounding his tour, which saw Macklemore removed due to his pro-Palestinian remarks. Sheeran described the Hamas-led attack on Israel as “horrific” and faced backlash for not defending Macklemore, while his backing band Beoga resigned in solidarity after the decision was made. Despite a small protest nearby and a drop in ticket resale prices, Sheeran welcomed a new group of musicians to the stage, as he prepares for upcoming shows at Gillette Stadium on September 25th and 26th.