Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation 'unjustifiable' in first show since tour crisis

British singer Ed Sheeran performed a solo concert in Philadelphia on Saturday, opening with remarks on Gaza, which he described as "catastrophic and unjustifiable". The 35-year-old said his heart had been broken by the scale of civilian and child deaths in the conflict.

It was Sheeran's first show since his US Loop tour was thrown into turmoil. On Monday, rapper Macklemore was dropped as opening act after stadium owners hosting upcoming shows objected to him shouting "free Palestine" during an earlier concert in New Jersey. Four other supporting acts subsequently withdrew from the tour, citing support for Palestinians.

Sheeran denied he was behind the decision to remove Macklemore, instead blaming the tour promoter. Critics have accused him of failing to stand up to the stadium owners, led by businessman Robert Kraft, and he faced calls for a boycott.

Speaking at the start of the concert, Sheeran said he had faced difficult decisions and made mistakes, for which he apologised. He said he never wanted to be seen as an activist musician, but the controversy had thrust him into a debate about freedom of speech. He called the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel horrific, but described the current situation in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable. He admitted that after the controversy broke, he was unsure whether the tour would continue or whether he would perform again.

Before the show, a small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the stadium waving flags and chanting. Some fans who had bought tickets said they refunded them to join the protest instead, expressing disappointment that Sheeran had not taken a clearer stand. Other concertgoers said they supported the musician regardless, saying they had come simply to enjoy the music.