Ed Sheeran’s first U.S. concert since his Loop Tour lost its remaining support acts is now officially scheduled to begin much later than originally advertised.
Ticketmaster has changed the listed start time for Sheeran’s Sept. 19 show at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The updated listing removes the two-and-a-half-hour window that had previously been available for supporting performers before Sheeran’s own set.
The change follows a turbulent week for the tour. Macklemore was removed from his remaining U.S. support dates after promoter Messina Touring Group said upcoming venues would not allow concerts to proceed with him on the lineup following his pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife Stadium.
Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe subsequently withdrew from their scheduled appearances, while Irish group Beoga, which had been joining Sheeran during portions of his own set, also left the tour.
Philadelphia’s Listed Start Time Has Moved From 5:30 to 8 P.M.
As of Sept. 19, Ticketmaster lists the Philadelphia Loop Tour concert for 8 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. The same event had previously been advertised for 5:30 p.m., and Just Jared reported that ticket holders also received notifications about the updated time.
The shift appears to eliminate the support portion of the evening. At the Loop Tour’s Sept. 4 MetLife Stadium concert, the event began in the late afternoon while Sheeran’s headlining set started at approximately 8 p.m.
A Live Nation page had advertised a 5:30 p.m. start and still showed Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe on the lineup after Macklemore’s removal. Both artists have since withdrawn.
The Tour Lost Its Remaining Support Artists Within Days
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Finneas wrote on Instagram that artists should not be silenced for speaking on behalf of oppressed people. Rowe said withdrawing was difficult because of his friendship with Sheeran and the role Sheeran had played in his career.
Lukas Graham also pulled out while criticizing the ability of wealthy figures to influence public expression. Beoga said its friendship with Sheeran would continue despite its decision not to perform.
The Associated Press reported that the supporting artists cited solidarity with Macklemore, objections to silencing artists and concerns about the influence of venue owners over political expression.
Macklemore’s MetLife Performances Set Off the Tour Dispute
The dispute began during the Loop Tour’s Sept. 4 and 5 stop at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During the first show, Macklemore voiced support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, called for a “Free Palestine” and performed “Hind’s Hall,” the protest song he released in 2024.
Macklemore also told Jewish members of the audience that his criticism of Israel was not intended as criticism of Jewish people. His performance drew both support and criticism, including objections from groups that accused him of promoting antisemitic material.
Several days later, Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone that venues on upcoming U.S. dates had informed the promoter they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. The company said losing those venues could have led to cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.
Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, separately confirmed that he had barred Macklemore from performing there. Kraft said his decision was based on what he characterized as Macklemore’s recent stage material and a broader history of rhetoric and imagery that had been hurtful to members of the Jewish community. Macklemore has rejected accusations that his advocacy for Palestinians is antisemitic.
Sheeran Says Removing Macklemore Was Not His Decision
Sheeran addressed the controversy on Sept. 15, saying the final decision to remove Macklemore belonged to the tour promoter, not him. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote in a statement quoted by People.
Sheeran said Macklemore had originally approached him about joining the tour and that his support artists had been free to determine their own set lists. He said the situation changed after the MetLife concerts when upcoming venues objected to Macklemore remaining on the bill.
The singer also confirmed that he spoke with Kraft while trying to resolve the dispute and said he had spent days talking with venue operators, promoters and activists. Sheeran defended his decision not to turn his own concerts into political forums while saying he respected Macklemore’s decision to speak publicly about his beliefs.
The Next Stadium Shows Are Still Listed for 5:30 P.M.
After the departures, Sheeran did not announce a new Philadelphia support lineup before the Sept. 19 concert. The Associated Press reported Saturday that he was preparing to return to the stage in Philadelphia possibly without supporting performers.
Sheeran already performs much of the Loop Tour alone using guitar and looping equipment, although Beoga had been joining him for several songs during each show.Beoga and Sheeran have collaborated for years, including on music connected to his 2017 album.
As of Sept. 19, Ticketmaster still lists Sheeran’s Sept. 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium for 5:30 p.m.. The Oct. 3 show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Oct. 10 concert at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis are also currently listed for 5:30 p.m. Ticketmaster likewise shows the Charlotte and Tampa stadium dates with late-afternoon start times.