Ed Sheeran is keeping his Philadelphia date on Saturday, September 19th. Pro-Palestinian groups plan to protest outside Lincoln Financial Field over the removal of Macklemore, who used his two opening sets on the Loop Tour to advocate for Palestinians.
Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z are asking supporters to meet at NRG Station at 4:30 p.m., Billy Penn reported. The concert remains on the stadium’s calendar, with a listed start of 5:30 p.m. Philadelphia will be Sheeran’s first U.S. stop since Macklemore was dropped, with several other acts having quit in the days since.
Police expect officers both inside and outside the stadium. Department spokesperson Jasmine Reilly told TMZ that a “sizable” deployment was planned and that officers were in contact with Sheeran’s team. Law enforcement sources said no specific threat against the singer had been reported as of Thursday, September 17th.
Concertgoers will pass through metal detectors, and TMZ reported that some may receive additional screening. Reilly said the department routinely reviews staffing for large gatherings. Its arrangements cover the people attending and working at the stadium, as well as those living nearby.
Protest Flyer Targets Sheeran and Robert Kraft
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“Free Palestine is not a tagline for celebrities or a slogan for online statements,” the organizers wrote in their September 16th announcement. They asked supporters to keep organizing after the celebrity dispute disappears from the headlines: “Free Palestine is a call to direct action.”
Their flyer features a torn version of Sheeran’s pink tour poster and a picture of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft beneath the words “GAZA IS OUR COMPASS.” The groups accuse Sheeran of giving in to pro-Israel pressure. They also reject his argument for keeping politics out of his concerts, holding him responsible for Macklemore’s removal.
Musicians Walk Away, and Fans Ask for Refunds
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote as he withdrew from his later dates on the tour, according to People. Lukas Graham, booked for the remaining U.S. shows, pulled out too. Frontman Lukas Forchhammer objected to wealthy interests controlling what artists could say: “Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation.”
The two Irish acts, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, cited their country’s history in explaining their support for Palestinians. Rowe thanked Sheeran for the opportunity but withdrew from his remaining U.S. appearances. Beoga had watched Macklemore perform at MetLife and supported his message. The group said it could not play venues that silenced Palestinian advocacy, even though its friendship with Sheeran would continue.
Beoga’s departure also takes musicians out of Sheeran’s own set. They had been playing alongside him as well as opening shows. For a traditional Irish band, the members said, those stadium appearances were an opportunity they had never expected to have.
Ticketmaster has directed customers seeking refunds to the tour or venue because the concert itself has not been canceled. Some Philadelphia fans told Billy Penn that contacting Lincoln Financial Field got them their money back. Others had a harder time: one ticket holder who spoke to TMZ needed several calls before securing a refund.
On the resale market, the cheapest Philadelphia ticket fell from $126 on Monday to $96 on Thursday, according to TicketData figures supplied to TMZ. That’s roughly 24% in three days. TicketData cautioned that prices regularly fall before a show: across 17 earlier Loop Tour concerts, the average decline was 22% over the two weeks leading up to each event.
Macklemore Says Stadium Owners Gave Sheeran an Ultimatum
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Macklemore had eight of the final 10 U.S. stadium shows on his schedule. He played only the first two, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4th and 5th. He performed “Hind’s Hall,” displayed war imagery and repeatedly said “Free Palestine.” On the second night, he addressed Jewish audience members directly. He argued that criticism of Israel’s government should not be confused with hostility toward Jewish people.
By the following Monday, according to Macklemore, Sheeran was telling him about a call from Kraft. The rapper said Kraft had refused to let him perform at Gillette and had enlisted other stadium owners to deliver an ultimatum: if Macklemore stayed, Sheeran couldn’t play their venues. Macklemore recounted those conversations in his September 14th Instagram statement, announcing that he was off the bill. He also said Sheeran had told him that some people he spoke with found the words “Free Palestine” and the Palestinian flag hurtful, a view Macklemore rejected.
Kraft confirmed the ban at Gillette, where Sheeran has September 25th and 26th concerts scheduled. He cited the MetLife sets and what he described as Macklemore’s history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. His statement said Palestinian advocacy must not come at the expense of Jewish attendees, while rejecting the suggestion that his decision dismissed Palestinian suffering. He also condemned Hamas’ violence against Israelis and Palestinians. Macklemore denies that his advocacy is antisemitic.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote in his September 15th response. Macklemore’s contract was with Messina Touring Group, he said. The promoter’s account was that venues would not allow concerts to proceed with the rapper on the lineup, threatening shows for hundreds of thousands of ticket holders. Sheeran described calls with promoters, venues, Kraft and activists as he sought a way through.
Venue owners can refuse a lineup, and promoters finance and organize tours, music-industry experts told the Associated Press. They also said a major headliner generally has substantial influence. The experts were not involved in Sheeran’s tour. Sheeran has said that Macklemore and the other support acts were allowed to choose their own set lists.
Sheeran says he intends to continue the tour. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans,” he wrote. He said he would not abandon the musicians and crew who depended on the work, either. He described himself as appalled by the conflict, while maintaining that his concerts should offer an escape for people of different backgrounds and ages, including children.
Macklemore Commits His Tour Earnings to Palestinian Aid
Macklemore has known Sheeran for 13 years and described him as a friend despite their disagreement. He asked readers to keep their concern with Palestinians: both musicians still had successful careers, money and families they could return to safely. “I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” he wrote.
On September 16th, Macklemore announced that his $1 million in net earnings from the tour would go to six organizations supporting Palestinians. He named Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera, and invited Kraft to match the gift.
Kraft later announced a $2 million humanitarian-aid pledge, saying Sheeran had already asked him to match the singer’s own contribution before Macklemore issued his public challenge, Sky News reported. Kraft said he had agreed and would encourage other stadium owners to contribute.