Ed Sheeran: 'I'm so, so sorry' after Macklemore boycott

Ed Sheeran spoke about Gaza for the first time on Saturday, September 19, 2026. It happened onstage at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, at his first show since rapper Macklemore was dropped from his world tour over his support for Palestine.

The singer performed alone. No opening act took the stage that night, since every supporting performer had pulled out in solidarity with Macklemore. According to reports from American media, the concert started two and a half hours later than scheduled as a result.

How It Started

Early in September, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Macklemore performed “Hind’s Hall” and told the crowd “Free Palestine” from the stage. The Israeli-American Council then launched a petition calling for his removal from the tour. Promoter Messina Touring Group announced that Macklemore would not perform on the remaining American dates, saying several stadiums had refused to let the show go on with him on the bill.

Sheeran said the decision was not his to make, but the promoter’s. Macklemore, for his part, accused Robert Kraft, owner of the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium, of barring him from performing and of pressuring other stadium owners to do the same.

On September 15, Aron Roe, FINNEAS and Lukas Graham also withdrew from the tour’s remaining dates. The Irish band Beoga, who had been backing Sheeran for part of the show, left as well.

What Sheeran Said Onstage

Before playing his first song, the singer addressed the crowd.

“I wouldn’t normally open a show like this, but before I play a few songs tonight, I hope it’s alright if I say a few words about this past week,” Sheeran said.

“I’ve tried throughout my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and my shows to be about unity, not division, about humanity, not politics,” Sheeran said from the stage in Philadelphia.

Then he went a step further, offering his first public assessment of the war in Gaza.

“What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific, and it added to centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustified and disproportionate,” the singer said.

He added that he could no longer stay silent about it.

“This is a humanitarian issue, and I can’t hide how I feel about it anymore,” Sheeran said.

He also addressed a practice he said could become a new standard on tours.

“I’m deeply concerned by the idea that venues and stadiums would pre-approve content for performers,” Sheeran said.

Finally, he apologized to the audience.

“I’m so, so sorry,” Ed Sheeran said.

Reactions From Opening Acts and Donations

FINNEAS, Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, is one of the performers who left the tour. He explained his decision in a line that has since spread across social media.

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” FINNEAS wrote in a statement announcing his exit from the tour.

Macklemore announced he is donating his entire net tour fee, one million dollars, to Palestinian humanitarian organizations, and called on Kraft to match it. Kraft responded with a statement saying Sheeran had already asked him to match his own two million dollar donation for humanitarian aid.

Protest Outside the Stadium

About 50 demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field before the concert. They chanted “Free, free Palestine.” The protest was organized by a coalition that included Shut Down D&Z, Writers Against the War on Gaza, No ICE Philly and the Philadelphia Students for Justice in Palestine Coalition.

The week leading up to the Philadelphia show, in brief:

• Macklemore performed “Hind’s Hall” and called for a free Palestine at MetLife Stadium.
• The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for his removal from the tour.
• The promoter announced Macklemore would not perform on the remaining American dates.
• On September 15, Aron Roe, FINNEAS, Lukas Graham and the band Beoga withdrew.
• On September 19, Sheeran performed alone, without a single opening act, and addressed Gaza for the first time.

The Loop Tour began on January 16, 2026, in Oakland and wraps up on December 12 in Mexico City. According to the latest official figures, it includes 57 shows: 17 in Oceania, 13 in Latin America and 27 in North America. Despite everything that happened that week, Sheeran said he still plans to see the tour through to its final scheduled date.