Ed Sheeran Says He’s «So, So Sorry» in First Show Since Macklemore Was Dropped Following «Free Palestine» Remark

Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding his tour on September 19 during his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. It was his first performance since Macklemore was removed from the lineup following pro-Palestinian remarks onstage, a decision that triggered further departures from the tour and placed Sheeran at the center of an escalating debate over artistic expression.

Appearing without an opening act, Sheeran acknowledged how difficult the previous week had become. He addressed his own handling of the turmoil and offered an apology directly to the audience. «I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I am so, so sorry,» Sheeran said during the emotional moment.

Sheeran also broke from his longstanding reluctance to publicly discuss divisive political issues. «This is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,» he said. After describing the October 7 attacks in Israel as «horrific», Sheeran turned directly to Gaza, declaring, «What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.»

The controversy had dramatically changed Sheeran’s tour before he arrived in Philadelphia. Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham withdrew from their remaining appearances following Macklemore’s removal. Beoga, the Irish group performing alongside Sheeran during his shows, also departed in solidarity, leaving the singer to continue without the supporting musicians and opening acts previously scheduled to appear.

The dispute began during Macklemore’s opening performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Explaining why he wanted to participate in the tour, Macklemore told the crowd he wanted to stand inside stadiums and say «two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine.» He subsequently performed his pro-Palestinian protest song Hind’s Hall.

Macklemore’s remarks generated criticism and pressure surrounding the remaining stadium dates, and he was subsequently removed from the tour. Sheeran maintained that he was «not responsible» for the final decision, attributing it to the promoter amid objections from venue operators. Sheeran said he attempted to mediate the dispute before Macklemore’s departure ultimately became final.

In Philadelphia, Sheeran expressed concern about the broader implications of the dispute. «I am deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content for performance,» he said. «This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.» His comments directly confronted the restrictions surrounding live performances.

For many critics, however, Sheeran’s acknowledgment came too late. They characterized his response as a failure of moral courage and a surrender to corporate pressure, arguing that his influence could have been used to resist Macklemore’s removal. One social-media reaction summarized that criticism bluntly: «You chose money, that is all, your apology is meaningless.»

Macklemore himself challenged Sheeran’s preference for remaining publicly neutral, writing that «there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed». Despite acknowledging difficult conversations between them, Macklemore expressed no regret over his decision to speak about Palestine and later pledged his $1 million in net earnings from the tour to organizations providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

Macklemore’s position did not begin with Sheeran’s tour. In May 2024, he released Hind’s Hall, named after Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, which pro-Palestinian protesters symbolically renamed in memory of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child killed in Gaza. The protest song addressed Gaza, American foreign policy and the growing pro-Palestinian student movement across university campuses.

Macklemore followed with Hind’s Hall 2 in September 2024, featuring Palestinian and Palestinian-American artists including Gaza-born rapper MC Abdul. The sequel focused on Palestinian displacement, resistance and demands to end U.S. weapons support for Israel. Proceeds from the Hind’s Hall project supported UNRWA, making his «Free Palestine» declaration another chapter in a campaign established years before Sheeran’s tour.