Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding his Loop Tour during his Sept. 19 concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, where he spoke publicly about the situation in Gaza and the fallout from Macklemore’s removal from the tour. It was Sheeran’s first performance since Macklemore was dropped from the remaining U.S. dates after making pro-Palestinian comments during earlier shows.

Opening the concert, Sheeran said he had spent the previous week dealing with what he described as an important debate over freedom of speech and the Israel-Gaza conflict. He told the audience that he had not wanted to become an “activist musician,” saying he had generally tried to keep his concerts focused on unity and humanity rather than politics.

Sheeran acknowledged the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack in Israel, describing it as horrific and saying it compounded centuries of Jewish pain. He then addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying, “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” He also said his heart had been broken by the scale of civilian and child deaths.

The remarks came after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s tour following his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sept. 4 and 5. During those shows, Macklemore performed his pro-Palestinian song “Hind’s Hall” and called for a free Palestine. Sheeran has maintained that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter and venues rather than by him.

Sheeran also addressed the broader issue of venues determining what performers can say onstage. He said he was “deeply worried” about venues pre-approving artists’ content and performances, arguing that the issue had become part of a larger discussion about freedom of expression.

The controversy resulted in several other artists withdrawing from Sheeran’s tour. Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe were among the performers who pulled out, while Irish group Beoga, which had served as Sheeran’s backing band, also withdrew following Macklemore’s departure.

Sheeran performed in Philadelphia without the original support lineup and was joined by replacement musicians during portions of the concert. He also said the show’s smaller B-stage had been removed because he was uncertain how the crowd might respond following the controversy.

Before the Philadelphia performance, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field. The concert itself went ahead with Sheeran addressing the controversy at the beginning of his set before continuing with the scheduled performance.

Sheeran also told the Philadelphia audience that he had made difficult decisions and mistakes during the previous week and apologized to fans. He said he wanted his concerts to remain spaces where people with opposing views could attend together, even when they disagree on political issues.

The Philadelphia concert marked the continuation of Sheeran’s Loop Tour following a turbulent period involving Macklemore’s removal and the subsequent departures of the tour’s other support acts and backing musicians. Sheeran’s comments in Philadelphia represented his most extensive public discussion of the Gaza conflict and the tour controversy to date.