During his first concert since the controversy surrounding Macklemore's ouster from his tour, Ed Sheeran apologized on stage in Philadelphia, calling the situation in Gaza "unjustifiable" and admitting to having made mistakes, while pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place near the concert venue.
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Ed Sheeran faced criticism after Macklemore was ousted from his tour, under pressure from American stadium owners, following the latter's pro-Palestinian remarks. The British artist previously said he did not want to make his career a political platform, while expressing personal views on the conflict in Gaza.
On stage Saturday evening in Philadelphia, Ed Sheeran tried to get out of the controversy targeting him by making his mea culpa. The pop star assured that the situation in Gaza was “unjustifiable” and admitted “mistakes” during his first concert since the controversy over the ouster from his tour of rapper Macklemore, who had made pro-Palestinian remarks.
The sidelining on Monday, under pressure from American stadium owners, of the artist who played his first acts and called in early September to “liberate Palestine” earned the Briton an unprecedented deluge of criticism for a musician who had until then been very consensual.
More than 73,000 Palestinians killed
“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate,” the star declared at the opening of his show at Lincoln Financial Field. “I had to make difficult decisions, I made mistakes and I am really, really sorry,” he added, cheered by his audience. The author of the global hit Shape of You then gave his concert alone and without a support act.
At a time when a growing number of artists are speaking out on the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and its heavy toll on the Palestinian side (more than 73,000 dead and 174,000 injured), the 35-year-old Englishman had already stated on Instagram on Tuesday "not to make his profession a political platform". “I am not complicit. I have my personal opinions on this devastating conflict. It’s not because I choose not to express myself publicly that I don’t have one, or that I don’t feel concerned.”
But, accused of not having defended his friend Macklemore and above all of having lacked the courage to denounce the fate of the Palestinians, the former street guitarist who became one of the most streamed singers of his generation was dropped by the other artists participating in his tour.
A ceasefire with no real effect
On Saturday, a pro-Palestinian collective, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), urged artists, fans and professionals to boycott Ed Sheeran's concerts, on tour on several continents. Dozens of demonstrators also gathered the same day at a metro station, near the concert venue. Some waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free Palestine.” Police officers installed nearby in around ten vehicles monitored this peaceful gathering.
Our articles on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
From the Oscars to the Emmys via the Cannes or Berlin festivals, the conflict in Gaza has loomed large in the discussions. Especially since, despite a ceasefire that came into force in October 2025, Israel continues its operations in Gaza. Since then, they have caused at least 1,300 deaths, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, placed under the authority of Hamas, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN.
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