Ed Sheeran speaks out after Macklemore’s removal from his US tour

Ed Sheeran says he felt abandoned by friends and family during the backlash over Macklemore’s tour removal

Ed Sheeran became emotional during his Philadelphia concert as he addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour and said he felt abandoned by people close to him.

During his September 19 performance at Lincoln Financial Field, Sheeran told the audience that friends, family members and people he had known for years had distanced themselves amid the fallout. He also thanked the 50,000 fans who attended the show despite calls for him to cancel the concert.

The controversy began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour. Sheeran said the decision was made by the tour promoter after stadium owners indicated they would not host shows with Macklemore on the lineup.

The fallout led several supporting acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, as well as Sheeran’s backing band, to leave the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Sheeran also took additional security precautions during the Philadelphia concert, removing a stage that would have placed him closer to the centre of the crowd because he was concerned about possible objects being thrown at him. 

Macklemore has since said he will donate $1 million from his tour earnings to Palestinian relief efforts. Robert Kraft later announced a $2 million donation after Sheeran asked him to contribute.

Sheeran is scheduled to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts on September 25 and 26, venues connected to the controversy over Macklemore’s removal.