PHILADELPHIA — Ed Sheeran said at his concert Saturday that the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel were “horrific” but that what is happening to civilians in Gaza is “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
He expressed his feelings while addressing the packed crowd during the opening of his concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, the first since since artist Macklemore was controversially removed from Sheeran’s “Loop” tour over his pro-Palestinian advocacy.
“This is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,” Sheeran said.
Ed Sheeran calls situation in Gaza 'unjustifiable'
The comments followed a week of turmoil for the artist, including protests outside the venue ahead of Saturday’s show.
Macklemore, who had originally been scheduled to open the show, said he was dropped after he made pro-Palestinian remarks during the opening of Sheeran’s tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this week. Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Finneas — who were scheduled to open various dates during the remainder of the “Loop” tour — withdrew in protest of Macklemore’s removal. Beoga, Sheeran’s house band, also left the tour.
Sheeran said the week brought him difficult decisions, some of which ended in mistakes. “I am so, so sorry,” he said.
“I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician,” Sheeran said, “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.”
More than 73,000 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel’s military campaign, including at least 1,200 since a fragile ceasefire took effect in October, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and roughly 250 others were taken hostage.
Sheeran also expressed worry about the idea that venues could “pre-approve content” for artists but said he would continue to perform on his current tour dates because honoring his commitment to fans is paramount.
Pro-Palestinian protesters rally ahead of show
The controversy over Macklemore’s stance fired up demonstrators who support the plight of people in the Gaza Strip amid warfare between Israel and Hamas militants.
Ahead of Saturday’s concert, dozens of people gathered at Pattinson Avenue and Broad Street, just outside the stadium, to participate in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
Demonstrators shouted “Free, free Palestine” in unison as motorists honked their horns in support.
Robert Boucher, 73, a retired surgeon, said he was there to take a stand for freedom of speech.
“The action that’s been taken by the stadium owners and folks who oppose Macklemore and what he represents and the comments that he’s made, that’s really an unjustifiable attempt to squelch free speech,” Boucher said.
The Philadelphia resident asserted that his criticism is of the Israeli government and its treatment of civilians in Gaza, not a stance against Jewish people.
“We’re here to specifically support our right to say the things that we’re saying and to not be labeled as antisemites or anti-Israel,” he said.
Gwen Myrick, 51, of West Philadelphia, said she supports Macklemore’s stand.
“I am here in support of Macklemore,” she said. “Because that is how a movement is born — standing up for the people who are brave enough to stand up.”
The protest followed a weeklong controversy that began after Macklemore voiced support for Palestinians. He accused Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, of organizing a boycott among stadium owners in response, an allegation Kraft did not deny.
In a statement, Kraft, a staunch supporter of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the decision was not intended to stifle Palestinian advocacy or diminish Palestinian suffering but to ensure a “welcoming environment” at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Macklemore had been scheduled to open two “Loop” tour dates there later this month.
Sheeran said previously that the company promoting his tour made the final decision to drop Macklemore because it held the rapper’s contract.
Messina Touring Group did not respond to multiple requests for comment from NBC News. The promoter told Rolling Stone that it had been informed that multiple venues “will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup,” resulting in his removal.
Macklemore had been scheduled to open Saturday’s show in Philadelphia. Instead, the protesters outside Lincoln Financial Field repeated some of the same pro-Palestinian remarks that Macklemore said led to his removal.
Adi Chattopadhyay, who said he helped organize the demonstration, said Sheeran could halt criticism by donating money to Palestinian-related causes.
“Send that money to families in Gaza,” he said. “Will he support the innocent people of Gaza who have been bombarded? Will he actually do something?”
Macklemore has pledged to donate $1 million, which he said represented all of the net earnings from Sheeran’s tour, to six organizations supporting Palestinians. Kraft later pledged $2 million toward causes supporting people impacted by the war in Gaza to match a similar donation made by Sheeran.
On Saturday, Sheeran told fans at his show that he’s spoken to “people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times.”
‘I just really came for Ed Sheeran’
Despite the controversy, fans inside the stadium said they were excited to watch Sheeran’s performance, and weren’t bothered by the lack of opening act.
Friends Karen Mossop, 59, and Karen Macort, 62, said they were there to experience only one artist — Sheeran.
Mossop defended Sheeran and said he just “got caught up in a really negative campaign.”
“Because he’s a really nice guy, he didn’t realize the ramifications of what would happen,” she said.
Mossop also questioned the professionalism of the artists who dropped out.
“It’s a shame that the opening acts quit,” she said. “They’re supposed to be professionals, and they should have acted professionally.”
Alexandria Rasa, 27, of neighboring New Jersey, said she was excited to experience her second Sheeran concert.
“I just really came for Ed Sheeran,” Rasa said. “I don’t really care about his opening acts, so that didn’t really affect me.”
Friend Hannah Luster, 26, also of New Jersey, was focused on the task at hand — basking in the music.
“[I’m] definitely going to enjoy it, probably going to take a video or two,” she said.
Dale Dietrich, 46, and his friend, Jeanine Fusik, 47, were hoping that Taylor Swift, who has been known to join Sheeran on stage, and vice-versa, might appear with him Saturday night.
“Ed needs to be rescued,” Dietrich said, referring to fallout from Macklemore’s departure, “and there’s probably one person that can really do it.”
Sheeran did not appear to need saving once the show got underway, though. But he did address the absence of his normal “B stage,” saying it was missing “because I was afraid of what might happen if I stood in the middle, and I will admit that.”
Sheeran spent much of his time on stage as a one-man band — a style fans will recognize from past performances — letting his vocals, instruments and loop pedal command the stadium crowd. But he also got some backup after calling a friend for last-minute help.
The fill-in musicians — a drummer, keyboardist, bassist, guitarist and violinist — had three days to learn the songs, Sheeran said, and he thanked them for their support.
He seemed most grateful to the audience at Lincoln Financial Field.
“Today has honestly been the best show of my life” he said. “I’ve felt so much love from you guys, and I am so grateful.”
The concert ended with fireworks and a crowd on its feet.
Nicole Acevedo reported from Philadelphia, and Dennis Romero from San Diego.
