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Sheeran calls Gaza war unjustifiable in Philadelphia
Ed Sheeran apologised over Macklemore’s removal while condemning Hamas’s attack and Israel’s conduct of the Gaza war.
What happened
At a Philadelphia concert, Ed Sheeran apologised for decisions after Macklemore was removed from the remaining US tour dates. He called the Hamas-led October 2023 attack on Israel horrific and described Israel’s war in Gaza as catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate. Supporting acts withdrew and protesters gathered outside.
Numbers
- 1,200 peoplekilled in October 2023 attack
- 4 supporting actswithdrew from the tour
- 3 daysreplacement band’s preparation time
Questions
- Why did venues object?
- Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine” during a New Jersey performance, drawing backlash from owners of stadiums hosting later dates on the tour.
- Who opened the Philadelphia show?
- No opening act performed; Sheeran began alone, then other musicians joined later after the tour’s supporting lineup changed.
- How did other artists respond?
- Four supporting acts left in solidarity, and Beoga’s departure meant Sheeran needed musicians for songs the group had co-written.
- How was the band replaced?
- Violinist Alicia Enstrom assembled a replacement group, which had only days to learn the songs before performing together.
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Support and opposition
Who supports this, and why
Stadium owners — Macklemore’s history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery made his participation in the remaining shows inappropriate.