Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour is set to continue as planned despite recent controversy involving one of his supporting acts and a broader debate about artist activism amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The singer is scheduled to perform Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with the venue confirming the concert will proceed, though supporting acts for the date have yet to be announced.
The dispute began earlier this month when rapper Macklemore, a former opening act for Sheeran, used his platform during the September 4 and 5 concerts at MetLife Stadium to advocate for Palestinian liberation. Macklemore criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, labeling them as genocide, and included footage from his protest song “Hind’s Hall”—which calls for a ceasefire and an end to Israeli occupation—in his performance. His outspoken stance drew swift condemnation from Jewish advocacy groups such as the StopAntisemitism organization, the Israeli American Council (IAC), and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), who accused him of using the stage for political propaganda.
Following backlash, pop singer Pink, who is Jewish, shared criticism of the imagery displayed during Macklemore’s set and later clarified that his comments were not directed at Jewish individuals but rather at political circumstances. Macklemore defended his remarks on social media, emphasizing that his message called for peace and respect for all people, stating, “Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you,” referring to Jewish audiences.
The controversy culminated in Macklemore’s removal from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s tour. The decision came after discussions involving Sheeran, the tour’s promoters, and venue owners, including billionaire Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group manages Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran is scheduled to perform later this month. Kraft cited Macklemore’s recent statements and a broader history of offensive rhetoric as reasons for barring him from the venue. Kraft emphasized that the decision aimed to prevent hate speech while affirming the suffering of Palestinians.
Macklemore indicated that Sheeran had faced pressure from influential venue owners who threatened to cancel future performances if he continued to include Macklemore on the tour. Sheeran stated that removing Macklemore was a decision made by the tour promoter, not by him personally, and reiterated his desire to maintain a largely apolitical stance to keep his shows welcoming to diverse audiences.
In solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian cause, several other acts, including Grammy winner Finneas and the folk band Beoga, withdrew from the Loop Tour. Finneas stated that artists should not be silenced when speaking out for the oppressed, while Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe expressed support for Palestinian rights and criticized the power dynamics that he said were suppressing dissenting voices on the issue.
Macklemore also announced he would donate earnings from his shows with Sheeran to Palestinian aid organizations and called on Kraft to match the donations. Kraft responded by confirming plans to match these contributions, highlighting his ongoing efforts to promote coexistence and humanitarian support in the region.
The North American leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour is scheduled to conclude on November 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The venue previously hosted a controversial performance by rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) earlier this year, underscoring ongoing tensions between popular music platforms and political expression.