Ed Sheeran to take the stage solo at the Linc amid tour controversy

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 Saturday night.

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 Macklemore, Sheeran’s original U.S. opener, had been replaced by Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe before they backed out.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. Fans expressed disappointment in Sheeran for not taking a stance, and some ticket holders are trying to sell their seats to the concert at Lincoln Financial Field.

The show was pushed from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sheeran is listed online as the only act. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the stadium around 4:30 p.m. They banged drums and chanted, and organizers gave a few speeches.

"The main thing we want to highlight today is that this is not about just Ed Sheeran as a figure, this is about the fact that you cannot meaningfully advocate or speak about the genocide of the Palestinian people without facing serious consequences in this country," said Adi Chattopadhyay, who spoke on behalf of organizers. "Now, Palestine is associated with his concert whether he wants it to be or not. So whether he thinks he is apolitical, whether Ed Sheeran believes his music is apolitical, that decision is no longer in his hands."

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.

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.