Singer Ed Sheeran opened his latest concert alone onstage and apologised to his fans for making “mistakes” as he handled the fallout from the controversy over American rapper Macklemore being dropped from his tour over pro-Palestinian remarks.
“I never wanted to be an activist musician but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” he said.
Saturday’s show at a Philadelphia sports stadium was the first time he has addressed the matter in person.
It was a stripped down event and Sheeran went on without opening acts after several musicians dropped out over the debacle.
“My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone,” he said at the start of the show, adding that he is committed to fans and that is why he returned to the stage.
“Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand,” he said.
“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; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
Sheeran said what happened in Israel during the 7 October 2023 attacks was “horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain”.
He added: “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children’s lives, and this systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
He said he is trying “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”.
Sheeran then closed out his statement by saying that he hoped his concert could be a place where everyone could gather irrespective of their beliefs.
The price for tickets dropped and sales declined for the remaining US leg of his Loop Tour due to the controversy.
The singer has said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by his promoters, not him.
Sheeran’s remaining tour dates are scheduled with shows set throughout North and South America. While the mega-star’s previous tour was among the highest-grossing of all time, some ticket prices for this show have dropped to $32 (£24).
Fans also reported being able to get ticket refunds, though Ticketmaster and concert promoter Messina Touring Group did not confirm they were being reimbursed.
An hour or so before the show began, hundreds concert-goers began to stream in for the event.
There was a smattering of press cameras outside the entry gates, though most fans skipped talking to the press.
A few dozen protesters turned up outside the nearest tube stop waving flags as ticket holders streamed towards Lincoln Financial Field – but the concert proceeded largely unfettered.
Of the handful of attendees who stopped to talk to the BBC, there was a sentiment of determination to enjoy an evening of music while at the same time supporting freedom of speech.
One married couple, who paid $450 per ticket, said that they respect Macklemore’s right to speak freely.
Another group of two ladies, who told us they got a “deal” for tonight’s concert after prices dropped, said that they support a free Palestine and at the same time love Sheeran’s music.
Finally, one family let their two young teenage daughters, Victoria, 15 and Sadie,13 be interviewed.
When we asked what they thought of the controversy and Macklemore’s removal, they replied “Who is Macklemore?”.
One protestor, who gave his name as Cooper, told the BBC that he came out “to support the struggle for” the Palestinian people.
“We need more people like Macklemore and other artists who have a voice, who have a public platform, to be able to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people and their struggle for liberation, especially in the United States,” he said.
Cooper said that a best-case scenario at the concert would be an apology from Sheeran, but he was not optimistic.
