Discuss an uncomfortable welcome!
Ed Sheeran followers arriving at Lincoln Monetary Subject in Philadelphia for his live performance on Saturday evening had been greeted by pro-Palestine protesters offended over Macklemore being faraway from Ed’s tour. In response to media retailers together with FreedomNews, who was on scene final evening, one protester used a megaphone to shout, “F**okay your live performance, f**okay your followers. Palestine is our demand.” In the meantime, different demonstrators had been seen chanting “Free Palestine” close to the subway cease.
Associated: Ed Sheeran Breaks Silence Amid Controversy After Macklemore Will get Booted
The Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z had already introduced plans to picket the live performance, criticizing Macklemore’s removing and posting, “Billionaires, Zionists & Warmongers out of Philly.”
???????? Protester confronts concertgoers exterior Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia present
As followers stream into the venue, one protester makes an emotional case for why they confirmed up, and why they need Ed’s viewers to listen to them.
However will these live performance goers truly care once they already…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 19, 2026
The controversy has additionally reportedly hit ticket demand. In response to TMZ late on Saturday, resale costs to Ed’s present dropped within the days earlier than the present, with lots of of tickets nonetheless obtainable Saturday morning. Some ticket holders reportedly struggled to acquire refunds or resell their seats, too. Ouch!
Then, a giant replace from DURING the present! Ed truly acquired emotional in an apology-response from the stage!
Throughout Saturday evening’s live performance, Sheeran apologized to followers and addressed the uproar surrounding Macklemore’s departure. Per TMZ, he mentioned:
“I don’t wish to disappoint followers, and I’ve by no means wished to be an activist musician, however this has put me in the course of an necessary and passionate argument about freedom of speech and essentially the most advanced political challenge on the planet. My live shows have at all times been a protected house for everybody, and that issues massively to me. Honoring my dedication to my followers can also be fully important to who I’m, and that’s the reason I’m right here tonight by myself and persevering with my present tour.”
BTW, Ed even went slightly bit additional together with his feedback throughout the present. He additionally described the October 7 assault on Israel as “horrific” whereas then additionally calling Israel’s subsequent response “unjustifiable” and “disproportionate.”
Associated: Macklemore Pledges $1 Million To Palestine Reduction, Asks Robert Kraft To Match It
After all, as we’ve been reporting, this was Ed’s first live performance since Macklemore was dropped from the tour following controversy over his pro-Palestine feedback. The opposite opening acts additionally stop in solidarity, leaving Sheeran as the only performer.
Within the meantime, Macklemore has alleged that NFL proprietor Robert Kraft pressured Ed to take away him due to his feedback. Sheeran, nevertheless, has mentioned he didn’t make the ultimate resolution, whereas Kraft has mentioned Macklemore performing on the stadium would cross a line.
In the meantime, the Philadelphia Police Division advised TMZ final evening that “acceptable measures” had been taken to maintain everybody protected throughout picketing, protesting, and concert-going.
Fairly the way in which to kick off a live performance…
[Image via MEGA/Mario Mitsis/WENN]
