Ed Sheeran has broken his silence after a controversy involving support act Macklemore and pro-Palestinian advocacy engulfed his US tour. In this episode, we examine how the dispute over free speech, politics and live music has divided fans, sparked protests and drawn the singer into one of the world's most contentious debates. With supporting acts pulling out in solidarity, Sheeran has returned to the stage and spoken publicly about Israel and Gaza, while questioning whether venues should have the power to control what artists say.
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TRANSCRIPT
“This is not usually how I would open the show. But before I play some songs tonight, I hope it's okay if I say a few words about this last week. I've had to take, and make difficult decisions. And I am making mistakes, and I'm so, so sorry.”
Ed Sheeran, alone on stage in Philadelphia, speaking directly to the crowd at his first concert since a dispute over rapper Macklemore plunged his US tour into controversy.
The dispute began earlier this month at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Macklemore had joined Sheeran's Loop tour as a supporting act, and told the crowd why he'd signed on.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine .”
Days later, Macklemore was dropped from the tour.
The promoter said venues had refused to host shows with him on the bill.
One of them was Gillette Stadium, owned by billionaire Robert Kraft, who accused Macklemore of antisemitism.
Macklemore denies the accusation.
Sheeran says the decision to remove him was the promoter's, not his.
But four other support acts pulled out in solidarity, leaving Sheeran to continue the tour alone.
“I've never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet. My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me.”
He said honouring his commitment to fans was why he'd decided to keep touring.
“But I am… I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content of performers. This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.”
The controversy followed Sheeran to Philadelphia.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the stadium as fans arrived for the concert.
Among them was Ed Doogan.
“Ed Sheeran is worth $400 million. He could have afforded to give up a few concert dates, but he was too chicken. I don't understand somebody that has that much money and threw his friend under the bus.”
Hillary Steinberg had been planning to be inside.
Instead, she refunded her ticket and joined the protest.
“We were like, well, maybe it wasn't his call. But then it became clear that he he had sort of caved to a corporate interest and to, what the stadium owners wanted. And so, I was immediately turned off. And so I feel fairly betrayed.”
But among those heading into the concert, there was a very different view.
“Teacher Diane Savitz says politics doesn't belong at a music venue.
I feel like a concert should be for people enjoying the music. Music should bring people together. Ed Sheeran is a great performer. He has gotten me through the roughest days and the best days of my life, and I don't think politics belong at any music venue.”
Other fans were firmly behind the pop star.
“I love Ed Sheeran. He is an amazing human being and he's a great humanitarian. And we, my group and I love him and support him. And it's not his fault.”
Until now, Sheeran had resisted publicly setting out his own position on the conflict.
In Philadelphia, that changed.
“This is a humanitarian issue and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore. What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7th was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children's lives, and the systemic injustice we're seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
The fallout from the tour has also reached Gaza.
Macklemore has pledged one million US dollars from his expected tour earnings to six groups providing aid to Palestinians.
UNICEF's Toby Fricker says moments of heightened attention can bring renewed public support and funding.
“There are always peaks, right, in crisis things happen and it re-engages the public. It re-engages other donors. And of course, that funding is critical and that's needed.”
In Gaza City, Macklemore's support has been painted onto the ruins.
Palestinian artist Anne Redwan helped create a mural of the rapper, wrapped in a Palestinian flag, on the wall of a bomb-damaged building.
"We wanted to send a message to thank rapper Macklemore in this simple way. We did this mural, it is the best collapsed wall in the street. This is simple message of thank you, and we hope that the aid he wanted to be delivered to us, will reach us.”
Back in Philadelphia, Sheeran ended his remarks with a message of unity.
“I honestly am 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. And everyone here can stand by people that they don't agree with on everything, but they can all agree on singing these songs. And these songs are about love, hope and unity.”
