Pro-Palestinian protesters target Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert after Macklemore removed from tour

Ed Sheeran Faces Fan Backlash After Removing Macklemore from U.S. Tour

Philadelphia, PA – On Saturday, fans gathered at Lincoln Financial Field to protest the removal of rapper Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. “Loop” tour. The protest drew Palestinian flags and chants of “Free Palestine,” reflecting the broader controversy that erupted after Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks at MetLife Stadium the previous week.

Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, had been scheduled to open for Sheeran’s concerts in the United States. After he spoke out in support of Palestine, the tour’s promoter and several venues dropped him from the lineup. Sheeran’s management later confirmed that the decision came from the venues and not from the singer himself.

The singer addressed the issue in an Instagram statement released after the controversy. “I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” Sheeran wrote. “The suffering on both sides is a human tragedy.” He clarified that he was not involved in the decision to remove Macklemore.

Macklemore has publicly claimed that Sheeran warned him that “Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had rallied other stadium owners to oppose allowing me to perform.” According to Macklemore, the venues threatened Sheeran with an ultimatum: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

The protest in Philadelphia occurred just as Sheeran was returning to the stage following the fallout from the opening‑act incident. Fans expressed discontent over what they saw as a suppression of artistic expression and a politicized decision by venue owners.

The incident has reignited discussions about the role of artists and promoters in political activism, as well as the influence of stadium ownership on concert programming. The situation remains fluid as tour dates continue to unfold.