Ed Sheeran kicked off his solo show in Philadelphia on Saturday with something slightly more complicated than a guitar loop: an apology. The singer told fans he had made "mistakes" and then addressed the controversy that has engulfed his tour since rapper Macklemore was dropped for making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage earlier in September.
"I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet," Sheeran said. He described the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks as "horrific" and called the situation in Gaza "unjustifiable" in his first in-person remarks since the controversy began.
The fallout has been messy: several artists left the tour, ticket prices dropped, and sales declined for the remaining US leg of his Loop Tour. Sheeran has said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by his promoters, not him. Such was the ensuing furore that he told the crowd he "didn't know whether this tour would be carrying on" and "whether I even wanted to be an artist at all."
"In these situations, you really find out who your friends are, and it's been a weird week. I just feel like it happened very quickly." He kicked off the show by saying he was committed to his fans and that is why he returned to the stage. "My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone," he said.
"Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand," he said. "I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore."
Sheeran said what happened in Israel during the 7 October 2023 attacks was "horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain." He added: "What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children's lives, and this systemic injustice we're seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked." He said he is trying "to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times and listening and learning, because I do not know enough."
Getting emotional, Sheeran told concertgoers: "I am honestly so grateful that you're here tonight with me. This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views." He also took issue with the idea that venues would "preapprove" content or performers, which received applause from the audience. He closed by saying he hoped his concert could be a place where everyone could gather irrespective of their beliefs.
Sheeran's remaining tour dates are scheduled throughout North and South America. While his previous tour was among the highest-grossing of all time, some ticket prices for this show dropped to $32 (£24). Fans also reported being able to get ticket refunds, though Ticketmaster and concert promoter Messina Touring Group did not confirm they were being reimbursed. Some protesters waved flags outside the venue, but the concert proceeded largely unfettered.
Of the handful of attendees who stopped to talk to the BBC, there was a sentiment of determination to enjoy an evening of music while supporting freedom of speech. One married couple, who paid $450 (£335) per ticket, said they respect Macklemore's right to speak freely. Another group of two ladies, who got a "deal" after prices dropped, said they support a free Palestine and love Sheeran's music. One family let their two teenage daughters, Victoria, 15, and Sadie, 13, be interviewed. Asked about the controversy and Macklemore's removal, they replied: "Who is Macklemore?"
One protester, who gave his name as Cooper, told the BBC he came out "to support the struggle for" the Palestinian people. "We need more people like Macklemore and other artists who have a voice, who have a public platform, to be able to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people and their struggle for liberation, especially in the United States," he said. Cooper said a best-case scenario would be an apology from Sheeran, but he was not optimistic.
The controversy began in early September, when Macklemore performed a song dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters and referred to "genocide" in Gaza, a description Israel rejects. The rapper also said criticism of Israel was not intended as criticism of "my Jewish brothers and sisters." Messina Touring Group said Macklemore was dropped because some venues - such as Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts - would refuse to let the concerts take place if he performed. Billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, confirmed he had banned Macklemore from performing during the British singer's forthcoming shows. Kraft, who is Jewish, accused the US rapper of hate speech and said he was "only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas."
Meanwhile, support acts including Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Danish musician Lukas Graham and his backing band Beoga quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. The artists argued his removal represented a chilling effect on free speech.