Ed Sheeran is set to return to the stage at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia tonight, September 19, for his first Loop Tour performance since the controversy surrounding Macklemore‘s removal from the lineup. The show will go on without any opening acts after every supporting artist withdrew from the remaining dates. Meanwhile, resale ticket prices have plummeted, with some seats available for as low as $42.
How the Macklemore Controversy Started
The turmoil began on September 4, when Macklemore performed his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During his performance, the rapper led the crowd in a “Free Palestine” chant and delivered a speech expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He also performed his song “Hind’s Hall” while images from the destruction in Gaza were shown on the stadium screens.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, later said he joined the tour specifically to speak up on this issue.
“A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’ I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them.”
The speech sparked backlash from pro-Israel groups, including the Israeli American Council, which launched a petition demanding his removal from the tour. Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, was among those who opposed Macklemore performing at their venues.
Macklemore’s Removal and the Aftermath
On September 14, Messina Touring Group, the promoter behind the U.S. leg of the tour, announced that Macklemore would not be performing on the remaining support dates.
“We have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans. After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
Macklemore later stated in a lengthy Instagram post that after a week of “difficult conversations” with Sheeran, they ended “in a place of fundamental disagreement”. He also claimed that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners to give Sheeran an ultimatum.
Ed Sheeran responded with his own statement on September 16, saying he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” but did not want his shows to become political forums. He clarified that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision, not his own.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
All Opening Acts Withdraw in Solidarity
Following Sheeran’s statement, every remaining supporting act announced they would not perform. The acts that withdrew include:
- Finneas, the American singer and brother of Billie Eilish
- Lukas Graham, the Danish band
- Aaron Rowe, the Irish singer-songwriter
- Beoga, the Irish folk band that had been performing with Sheeran at every show
Beoga, who had worked with Sheeran for over a decade and helped create his hit song “Galway Girl”, said in their statement that they fully supported Macklemore’s message. The departure of all supporting acts means Sheeran will perform tonight’s show without any opening performers or his usual backing band.
Philadelphia Show Changes and Ticket Price Drops
The Philadelphia concert was originally scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., but with no opening acts left, the start time has been moved to 8 p.m. — the time Sheeran’s own set was originally set to start. Sheeran is currently the only performer listed for the show, with no replacement acts announced.
Resale ticket prices have fallen sharply. According to TickPick data, the cheapest ticket was listed at $51 on Friday morning, down from $100 earlier in the week. By Friday afternoon, StubHub listings had dropped even further, with tickets available for as little as $42. Resale listings for the Philadelphia concert increased 54% between Tuesday morning and Friday morning, while TicketData reported that prices had fallen by 25% over the course of the week.
The price drops are not limited to Philadelphia. TicketData showed that nine of Sheeran’s next 10 dates recorded price decreases over the three days leading up to September 16. Prices also declined for Sheeran’s two shows at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, as well as upcoming concerts in Atlanta, Charlotte, Arlington, Hollywood, and Tampa.
Fans Divided as Protests Planned
Concert-goers have been left torn by the controversy. Some fans are demanding refunds, saying the show is no longer what they paid for. However, Ticketmaster‘s policy states that opening acts can be canceled without notice and does not entitle ticket holders to a refund.
“I’m still torn,” Damien Given, a fan with tickets to Saturday’s show, told the BBC. “He said he was in support of Ukraine when the Ukraine-Russia war started. You can’t just say now suddenly, ‘I’m not political.’”
Other fans have expressed support for Sheeran. Patti Ann told the BBC that Sheeran was in a “no-win situation” and that she backs him “100% for his decision”.
A coalition of pro-Palestinian organizations plans to protest outside Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday afternoon.
Related:
Macklemore and Robert Kraft Both Pledge Donations
In a related development, Macklemore announced plans to donate $1 million from his net earnings from the tour to six organizations helping Palestinians, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. He also challenged Robert Kraft to match his donation.
Kraft later confirmed that Sheeran had asked him to donate $2 million to “aid in the region” to fight the humanitarian crisis. Kraft said he wanted people to know that “for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships”.
Also Read: Ellie Goulding Heart Emoji Tweet Amid Ed Sheeran Tour Drama, Relationship History Explained
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