‘I’m so, so sorry’: Ed Sheeran labels war in Gaza ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’

Ed Sheeran has opened his latest concert solo, admitting that he made mistakes and addressing the furore caused after his US opener Macklemore was dropped for making Pro-Palestinian remarks onstage.

“I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” he said. “My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone and that matters hugely to me.”

US rapper Macklemore was removed as the support act for Sheeran’s Loop tour last Monday (AEST) after complaints from the owners of several stadiums that he was scheduled to perform at.

They reportedly took issue with the artist’s “Free Palestine” comments, which he made during a performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. Following his removal, all four supporting acts and the touring band of Sheeran’s tour pulled out as a show of support for Macklemore and Palestine.

Sheeran resumed his tour on Sunday (AEST) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, marking his first time on stage since the supporting act exodus. He confirmed he was returning to the stage on his own.

As of Sunday morning, tickets were still available to purchase online and Sheeran’s website did not list any replacement acts.

According to the BBC, ticket prices for the concert dropped to as low as $US32 ($45) following the controversy, and sales declined for the remaining US leg. This is in stark contrast to his previous tour, which became one of the highest-grossing of all time.

At the beginning of the Philadelphia show, Sheeran expressed his commitment to the fans, explaining that was the reason why he returned to the stage. He said he had “made mistakes” while making “difficult decisions”.

“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content of the performers. This happens in so many places that I’ve performed in around the world, but it should never happen in a free world.”

He also addressed his stance on the war in Israel and Palestine, noting that he has avoided being a political commentator of any kind throughout his career because he wants his music and shows to “be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics”. However, he said he could no longer hide his feelings.

“What happened in Israel at a known music festival on October 7 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.”

A group of about 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the stadium ahead of the Philadelphia show. Hillary Steinberg, a 34-year-old Philadelphia local, said she got tickets a year ago but wound up getting a refund and attending the demonstration instead, disappointed by Sheeran’s apolitical stance.

“I was, until this week, a big Ed Sheeran fan,” Steinberg said.