Ed Sheeran takes stage to address Macklemore row.
Because of the dispute but ultimately chose to go ahead with the show, some said they had hesitated about attending.
The controversy began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during Sheeran’s September 4 and 5 shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including saying “Free Palestine” and performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall”. Despite the controversy, several fans attending Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert said they continued to support the singer.
Reuters reported that fans at the concert largely expressed support for Sheeran despite the backlash.
“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran said. “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. Sheeran further described the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel as “horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain”. “What happened in Israel and at the Nome Museum Festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain,” Sheeran said. He also said he was “deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content for performance”. Others attended a protest outside the stadium instead, while some fans said they wanted to put the controversy aside and enjoy the music.
The singer ended his remarks by saying he wanted his concerts to remain spaces where people with opposing views could come together. Several supporting acts, including Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish musician Lukas Graham and his backing band Beoga, later withdrew from the tour, citing concerns over freedom of speech.