PHILADELPHIA — Ed Sheeran took the stage at his Philadelphia concert on Saturday and delivered an emotional speech, apologizing to fans and addressing the controversy that has engulfed his tour since the removal of opener Macklemore.
According to TMZ, Sheeran became tearful as he told the crowd he was "so, so sorry" after "making mistakes." He also said he was personally "appalled" by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Sheeran explained his decision to speak out now, telling the audience, "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. My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am, and that is why I’m here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour."
The singer described the October 7 attack on Israel as "catastrophic" and characterized Israel's response as "unjustifiable" and "disproportionate."
This was Sheeran's first concert since Macklemore was removed from the tour following his "Free Palestine" controversy. The other opening acts quit in solidarity, leaving Sheeran as the only performer.
Macklemore has claimed that NFL owner Robert Kraft disliked his pro-Palestine comments and pressured Sheeran to drop him, presenting an ultimatum: remove Macklemore or else. Sheeran stated he did not make the final decision on Macklemore, and Kraft said that Macklemore performing in his stadium would cross a line. Other NFL owners also opposed Macklemore, leading to his departure.
Ahead of the concert, the Philly Palestine Coalition, a major pro-Palestinian group, announced plans to protest the event. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department told TMZ that "appropriate measures" were taken to ensure everyone's safety.
Some ticket holders for the Philadelphia show sought refunds but encountered difficulty obtaining them, and reselling tickets proved similarly challenging.