British singer, Ed Sheeran, has addressed the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal from his US tour, saying his “heart has been broken” by the devastation and loss of civilian lives in the Middle East.
Sheeran spoke before performing at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, saying he had been forced to make “difficult decisions” after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining US dates over his pro-Palestinian remarks during a concert.
“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran said.
The singer also apologised to fans, acknowledging that he had made mistakes while dealing with the controversy.
“This week, the criticism was about something much more important and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions and I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry,” Sheeran said.
Speaking about the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, Sheeran described the assault, including the attack at the Nova Music Festival, as “horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain.”
He noted that about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were taken hostage.
Turning to the war in Gaza, Sheeran said the continuing violence was “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.”
He added, “My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian’s lives, children’s lives,” while also saying the “systemic injustice” in the West Bank could not be ignored.
Despite the controversy, Sheeran told concertgoers that his shows remained open to people with different views.
“My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me,” he said.
The controversy erupted after Macklemore spoke in support of Palestinians during Sheeran’s US tour.
At a previous show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the rapper wore a black-and-white keffiyeh and told the audience, “Free Palestine.”
Macklemore later said on Instagram that he had been removed from the remaining US tour dates.
He blamed New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, alleging that Kraft had pressured stadium owners over his participation.
Kraft subsequently said Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium, citing what he described as the rapper’s “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” as well as material from his recent performances.
Several other opening acts, including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Beoga and Lukas Graham, withdrew from the tour following the controversy.
The dispute also sparked protests outside Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert.
About 50 demonstrators gathered near the venue, chanting “Free Palestine” and holding Palestinian flags, while other concertgoers expressed support for Sheeran and said they wanted to focus on the music.
Sheeran had earlier said in an Instagram post that he does not use his professional platform for politics because his audience includes young people and people from different backgrounds.
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics — my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.”
The controversy has divided fans, with some questioning whether to attend Sheeran’s concerts while others maintained that the singer should be allowed to perform without the dispute overshadowing his shows.
