Ed Sheeran to take the stage at the Linc despite several dropped acts over pro-Palestinian comments

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ed Sheeran is preparing to return to the stage for the first time since Macklemore and other artists were cut from his tour for making pro-Palestinian comments, and he will do so in Philadelphia.

Sheeran has performed much of his Loop Tour concerts solo, but he had been joined for several songs at each stop by the Irish folk band Beoga. Macklemore, Sheeran’s original U.S. opener, had been replaced by Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe before they backed out.

Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year before he too dropped out earlier this week.

Sheeran has not said anything publicly since losing the artists’ support. Some ticket holders are trying to sell their seats to the Saturday night concert at Lincoln Financial Field.

The show has been pushed from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sheeran is listed online as the only act.

The controversy began after rapper Macklemore was dropped after he exclaimed “Free Palestine” during a Sept. 5 show in New Jersey.

Sheeran has said he was not responsible for the decision, which came at the urging of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. His company owns a stadium where Sheeran’s tour was scheduled to play on Friday.

Protests are expected to take place outside the Linc Saturday afternoon with ramped-up security.

Macklemore said Wednesday he is donating $1 million to support Palestinian relief efforts and called on Kraft to match the gift; a spokesperson for Kraft has said the billionaire and Sheeran have each agreed to donate $2 million but have not specified where the money will be directed. Sheeran’s representatives have not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Sheeran’s Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $7 million per city, Pollstar said in May. Through the end of 2025, Sheeran was the No. 3 top-earning concert act since 2021.