Ed Sheeran changes Philadelphia concert time as protests planned after Macklemore fallout

Ed Sheeran has changed the start time of his Philadelphia concert as the fallout from Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour continues, with pro-Palestinian protesters also planning a demonstration outside the venue.

Sheeran is scheduled to perform at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, September 19. The concert was originally scheduled to begin at 5:30pm  local time, but the start time has since been moved to 8pm on Ticketmaster. The change follows the withdrawal of the tour’s supporting acts, leaving Sheeran without announced opening performers for the Philadelphia show.

Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during his performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. Sheeran has said the decision was made by the promoter after upcoming venues communicated that they would pull the shows if Macklemore remained on the line-up.

Following Macklemore’s departure, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Sheeran’s backing band Beoga all withdrew from the remaining dates. Beoga said it fully supported Macklemore’s message, while the other departures further reshaped the remaining tour schedule.

The Philadelphia concert is also expected to draw protests. Local pro-Palestinian groups have announced plans to rally outside Lincoln Financial Field ahead of the show, with organisers saying the demonstration will focus on Palestinian advocacy and concerns over the treatment of Macklemore’s comments.

Ticket resale prices for the Philadelphia show have also fallen as the concert approaches. Tickets that were listed at $91 on Thursday were available for as little as $66.30 on Friday, while other reporting put the cheapest available ticket at around $67. TicketData founder Keith Pagello cautioned that falling resale prices are common immediately before concerts and do not necessarily indicate an effect from the controversy.

Sheeran has said he has personal views about the Israel-Palestine conflict but does not want his concerts to become political forums. He has also denied being responsible for Macklemore’s removal from the tour.