Ed Sheeran addresses Gaza conflict at Philadelphia concert after tour controversy

Ed Sheeran performed alone at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 19-20, 2026, after all his supporting acts left his North America tour. They quit because rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments at earlier shows. Venue operators reportedly pushed for his removal. Sheeran had said his tour promoter made that decision, not him.

At the Philadelphia concert, Sheeran called the situation in Gaza "catastrophic" and "disproportionate." He said he was deeply worried about venues controlling what artists can say on stage. He argued this should not happen in the free world. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue during the shows. Before this, Sheeran had kept quiet publicly about the conflict, saying his concerts were not the place for politics.