Ed Sheeran opened a solo concert in Philadelphia on Saturday with comments about Gaza, saying what’s happening is “catastrophic and unjustifiable.” “My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives,” Sheeran said in the night at Lincoln Financial Field. He also said he wants his music and shows to be about unity and humanity, not politics.
Deep Dive
What did Ed Sheeran criticize about the situation in Gaza during his concert?
Why did Ed Sheeran's supporting acts withdraw from his tour?
How has Ed Sheeran responded to the controversy regarding his political stance?
Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy
Sheeran then addressed the controversy that unfolded since his supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with opener Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments 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, adding that his concerts were always a safe space. This comes after Macklemore was dropped for saying ‘Free Palestine’ at a previous concert.
He then seemed to address venues not wanting Macklemore to open for him, saying, “But I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content of a performance. This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.” Sheeran also said that this week, “the criticism was about something much more important, and I've had to take and make difficult decisions - and I am making mistakes - and I'm so, so sorry.”
Ed Sheeran on Palestine and Gaza
Sheeran then spoke about Palestine and Gaza, saying, “Now, I want to address the question of where I stand on the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand. I have tried in my career to not be a political commentator at any time, because I want my shows to be about unity, not division, and humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I can't hide how I feel about it anymore.”
{{/usCountry}}Sheeran then spoke about Palestine and Gaza, saying, “Now, I want to address the question of where I stand on the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand. I have tried in my career to not be a political commentator at any time, because I want my shows to be about unity, not division, and humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I can't hide how I feel about it anymore.”
{{/usCountry}}He added, “What happened in Israel at Nova Music Festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. Our hearts have been broken by the scale and 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.”
The aftermath of Macklemore's removal
Sheeran has performed many of his Loop Tour concerts solo, but at several stops, he has been joined by the Irish folk band Beoga for several songs. Macklemore, Sheeran’s original US opener, had been replaced by Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe before they backed out.
Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year before he too dropped out earlier this week. As of Saturday afternoon, tickets were still available for the show, and Sheeran's website listed no replacement acts.
Macklemore said Wednesday he is donating $1 million to support Palestinian relief efforts and called on Kraft to match the gift; a spokesperson for Kraft has said the billionaire and Sheeran have each agreed to donate $2 million but have not specified where the money will be directed.
With inputs from AP
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