Ed Sheeran is set to perform in Philadelphia this Saturday after his opening acts withdrew in response to the removal of Macklemore from the tour.

Ed Sheeran is scheduled to continue his Loop Tour at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field this Saturday. The performance follows a week of turmoil after Macklemore was removed from the tour lineup following pro-Palestinian comments made during a September 5 show in New Jersey. Subsequently, all of Sheeran's remaining supporting acts withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Tour Lineup and Cancellations

Macklemore, the original U.S. opener, was replaced by Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, both of whom later withdrew. Additionally, Finneas, who was scheduled to join the tour in South America, also canceled his participation. Sheeran has not announced any replacement acts for the upcoming shows. While Sheeran has historically performed much of his tour solo, he had been joined at previous stops by the Irish folk band Beoga.

Context of the Controversy

Sheeran stated that he was not responsible for the decision to drop Macklemore, attributing the move to the tour promoter and pressure from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Kraft’s company owns a stadium where the tour was scheduled to perform. Sheeran has maintained that he wishes to avoid discussions regarding the war in Gaza, asserting that his concerts are not the appropriate venue for such political issues. Following the incident, Macklemore announced a $1 million donation to Palestinian relief efforts, while representatives for Kraft stated that both the billionaire and Sheeran have agreed to donate $2 million, though specific recipients were not named.

Fan Reactions

Public response to the situation has been divided. Some fans expressed support for Sheeran, citing contractual obligations and the desire to keep politics out of concert venues. Others, however, expressed frustration with the handling of the situation, with some ticket holders seeking refunds or questioning Sheeran's oversight of his opening acts.