Ed Sheeran returned to his Travel around After the opening McLemore Removed for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage.
“Before I play some songs tonight, I wish I could say a few words about what happened last week,” Sheeran, 35, told fans at a concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, according to a video widely circulated on social media. “I’m used to getting criticism for my music and I’m always happy to take criticism because I’m lucky. It’s normal for a lot of people to like my stuff.
He continued: “This week, the criticism is about bigger things and I have to accept it. [it in] And making tough decisions, I made mistakes and I’m very, very sorry. “
The singer-songwriter explained that he never wanted to “disappoint his fans,” adding that he never set out to “become an activist.”
“This puts me in the middle of an important and passionate debate about free speech on the most complex issue on earth,” Sheeran noted.[My music] Always a safe space for everyone. This is very important to me. “
He added, “It’s also completely important to me to fulfill my promise to my fans. That’s why I’m here tonight by myself to continue my own tour.”
Sheeran addressed promoters, who allegedly threatened to cancel his concerts if he kept McLemore on his bill. ring Toole said he was “deeply concerned” about interference with free speech.
“This should never happen in the free world,” Sheeran insisted.
The four-time Grammy winner admits he never wanted to be “any kind of political commentator,” but he wants his show to be about “unity, not division” and “humanity, not politics.”
Ed Sheeran performs at KISS108’s Jingle Ball 2025.
Eisen/Getty Images for iHeartRadio“But this is a humanitarian issue [in Palestine] I can no longer hide how I feel about this,” he told fans. “What happened in Israel on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of suffering. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, unjustified and disproportionate. … The systemic injustice we see in the West Bank cannot be ignored. “
A United Nations report released in June stated that 20,000 children have been killed and more than 44,000 injured in the region since hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023.
“I’m listening and learning. I don’t know enough [about the conflict]” Sheeran said on stage Saturday.
As Sheeran appeared to break down, he told fans: “Honestly, I’m so grateful you guys are here with me tonight.”
Earlier this month, Sheeran headlined two concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where McLemore, 43, performed with BIIRD and Lucas Grahamrespectively. During the “Thrift Shop” rapper’s two performances, He shouted “Free Palestine” and played his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
After alleged pressure from stadium hosts Travel around In concert this fall, Sheeran’s tour promoter dropped McLemore from the lineup ahead of her eight remaining scheduled shows.
“Ed Sheeran and his team have decided to remove me from Travel around. I’m not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” Macklemore wrote in a statement on social media Shared on Monday, September 14th. “We have careers, money, opportunity, security and an audience around the world. No matter what consequences any of us face for what we say, we can go home to our families.”
Macklemore described Sheeran as “a friend of mine” who he has known for 13 years, and claimed they had had “difficult conversations” about the future of the tour.
“He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to many of the people he spoke to,” Macklemore claimed. “I hope this is not the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship will not be lost over one painful disagreement. I hope we both continue to listen, study what is happening in Palestine, and grapple with what it means to remain neutral in a moment like this. My door will always be open to continue this conversation.”
“Thinking Out Loud” Artist Make a statement The next day, he announced that he still respected McLemore and denied any responsibility for expelling his friend from the school. Travel around register.
Pink breaks her silence after facing backlash for retweeting criticism of Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium show. Pink, 47, posted a statement on Instagram on Friday, September 11, “I’ve been silent for a week with my own words and you know that’s not like me. So here they are.” […]
“After Macklemore performed at my New Jersey show, venues for my upcoming tour dates indicated that they would cancel the show if he remained supportive,” Sheeran wrote in a statement on Tuesday, September 15. “I was told that this stance was based on part of Macklemore’s message during his performance and not on everything that was said. I have had lengthy conversations with the venue throughout the week to try to build a bridge.”
The British singer-songwriter further emphasized that he hopes to use his platform and music to “bring people together from different backgrounds and cultures.”
“Anyone who has seen my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love and a place where everyone feels welcome,” he added at the time. “I have been working hard this week to build bridges and find solutions, but unfortunately, I have been unable to do so. I know who I am as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values.”
A few days later, Sheeran’s companion Travel around Opener Graham, 34, Finneasand guest band Beoga left the concert in support of Macklemore.
The “Can’t Hold Us” rap star has since dedicated himself to sharing his message and announced on Wednesday, September 16, that he would be donating $1 million Travel around Salaries in Palestinian organizations. back Challenge Gillette Stadium Boss Robert Kraft In an effort to do the same, Kraft, 85, announced that Sheeran had pledged $2 million in humanitarian aid, which the businessman matched.