Ed Sheeran Chokes Up Calling Gaza 'Unjustifiable' as Pro-Palestinian Protesters Gather Outside Philadelphia Concert

Macklemore and all opening acts have pulled out of Ed Sheeran's remaining tour dates, leaving Saturday's Philadelphia show in flux.

Ed Sheeran performed solo in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, addressing the controversy surrounding his tour directly from the stage. Sheeran told fans 'I'm so sorry' and admitted he had considered quitting amid the crisis, acknowledging he had made 'mistakes.' He choked up while making a public statement on the conflict, describing the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel as 'horrific' while calling what is happening in Gaza 'catastrophic and unjustifiable,' attempting to navigate a middle-ground position on the politically charged issue. Sheeran also noted he has tried not to be a political commentator throughout his career. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue during the concert, waving flags and chanting 'Free Palestine.' Macklemore was dropped — not voluntarily withdrawn — from the Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during his opening set, a distinction clarified by multiple outlets. The fallout has drawn commentary from a wide range of public figures, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, singer Pink, and actress Melissa Barrera, who praised the support shown for Macklemore and compared his firing to her own dismissal from Scream 7 over her pro-Palestinian social media posts. TMZ's 'Two Angry Men' segment featured a heated debate between Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos over whether Macklemore's actions constituted antisemitism. The Philadelphia concert underwent several notable changes: the show's start time was moved from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET to account for the stripped-down lineup, and the B-stage — where Sheeran traditionally performs fan requests — was removed. Sheeran performed despite the absence of Macklemore and other opening acts. No further cancellations have been announced.

Why it matters

Fans who purchased tickets to see a multi-act show may find the lineup significantly different from what was advertised. The mass withdrawal of openers mid-tour is an unusual development that raises questions about the status of Sheeran's remaining tour dates beyond Philadelphia.

What's next

Watch for official statements from Sheeran's camp or Macklemore clarifying the reasons for the withdrawals and whether any replacement openers will be announced before Saturday.

Key facts

• Macklemore and all other opening acts have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran's remaining tour dates
• Sheeran's backup band has also reportedly pulled out, per TMZ's industry sources
• The affected concert is scheduled for Saturday night in Philadelphia
• Sheeran is prepared to perform the show solo if necessary
• The Philadelphia concert's start time has been changed in response to the lineup shake-up
• No reason for the mass withdrawal has been publicly confirmed by any party

Bias & framing notes

Both outlets rely on unnamed 'music industry sources' rather than on-record statements from Sheeran, Macklemore, or their representatives, which limits verification. TMZ leads with the drama of a potential solo performance, while Just Jared focuses on the logistical change to the start time — neither outlet provides a confirmed reason for the departures. The core facts (openers out, show time changed) align between sources, but key details such as why the acts withdrew remain unconfirmed.

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