Ed Sheeran is reportedly set to resume his tour on Saturday in Philadelphia, but the situation is complicated after all his supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore. Macklemore was dropped from the tour following pro-Palestinian comments he made on stage. Sheeran has performed his tour mostly solo but has previously been joined by Irish folk band Beoga and other acts. Artists such as Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother, have also pulled out of the tour.
Despite the unrest among his supporting acts, tickets for Saturday’s show are still available, and it’s unclear if any replacements will step in. A pro-Palestinian coalition plans to protest outside the venue, adding to the tension surrounding the event.
The controversy began when Macklemore made a statement during a New Jersey show, leading to his dismissal at the behest of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Both Kraft and Sheeran are reportedly agreeing to donate a total of $2 million to Palestinian relief efforts, although the specifics of the donation remain undisclosed.
Sheeran has emphasized that the tour promoter was responsible for Macklemore’s removal and that he aims to keep his concerts free of political discussions, focusing instead on providing an entertaining experience for his fans. However, within the industry, there is recognition of the influence that high-profile artists like Sheeran generally have in such matters.
