Ed Sheeran addressed the war in Gaza during a concert Saturday night, his first performance since his U.S. tour became embroiled in controversy over the removal of rapper Macklemore as an opening act.
Speaking at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the British singer-songwriter called the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel “horrific” and described what is happening in Gaza as “catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
“Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran told the audience.
Sheeran said he was accustomed to criticism of his music and willing to accept it, but that the controversy of the past week involved something far more consequential.
“I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry,” he said. “I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.”
Sheeran said his concerts had always been intended as a “safe space for everyone” and that honoring his commitments to fans was a fundamental part of who he is. He said that was why he was performing alone and continuing the tour.
But he also expressed concern about venues exercising control over what artists can say onstage.
“I’m deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content for performance,” Sheeran said. “This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.”
Sheeran then directly addressed his position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and whether his decision to go ahead with the Philadelphia concert reflected his views.
“I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division,” he said. “But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Ed Sheeran's concert at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
(Photo: AP Photo/Allie Ippolito)
“What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain,” he continued. “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable, and disproportionate.”
Sheeran said he was heartbroken by the scale of the destruction and the loss of civilian lives, including children. He also criticized what he described as “systemic injustice” in the West Bank.
“I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening and learning because I do not know enough,” he said.
Sheeran thanked the audience for attending and said his concert remained a place where everyone was welcome, regardless of their political views.
Macklemore controversy roils tour
The dispute began after Macklemore, who was opening for Sheeran at a New Jersey stadium concert earlier this month, called out “Free Palestine” from the stage and delivered a pro-Palestinian speech.
In response, operators of stadiums scheduled to host subsequent tour dates said they would not allow Macklemore to perform at their venues. Messina Touring Group, which promotes the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour, subsequently announced that Macklemore would not appear at the eight remaining concerts at which he had been scheduled as an opening act.
Macklemore
(Photo: Yaniv Levin)
Sheeran has said the decision was made by promoters and stadium operators rather than by him and that he spent the week trying to reach an agreement with them.
He said canceling the concerts would have affected hundreds of thousands of fans as well as crew members and musicians who depend on the tour for their livelihoods. However, concert industry figures told The Associated Press that an artist of Sheeran’s stature typically has substantial influence over decisions involving his shows.
Several other artists participating in the tour announced after Macklemore’s removal that they would no longer take part. They included Finneas, the musician and producer who is Billie Eilish’s brother, Danish singer Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and the Irish folk group BIIRD, which had been accompanying Sheeran at some performances.
About 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the Philadelphia stadium before Saturday’s concert.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Ed Sheeran's concert at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
(Photo: Joe Lamberti / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
One protester said she had bought a ticket about a year earlier but sought a refund and instead joined the demonstration because she was disappointed that Sheeran had not taken a clearer stand in support of Macklemore.
Macklemore later announced that he would donate $1 million from his tour proceeds to organizations providing aid to Palestinians. He challenged Jewish billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, to match the donation.
A spokesperson for Kraft subsequently said Kraft and Sheeran had each agreed to donate $2 million toward humanitarian relief in the region. The spokesperson did not specify which organizations would receive the money.
Sheeran’s representatives have not publicly confirmed the reported donation.