Ed Sheeran Apologizes Amid Macklemore Tour Controversy, Calls Situation In Gaza ‘Catastrophic & Unjustifiable’

Ed Sheeran Apologizes Amid Macklemore Tour Controversy, Calls Situation In Gaza ‘Catastrophic & Unjustifiable’

Ed Sheeran is speaking out following days of controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his U.S. Loop Tour.

During his concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday (Sept. 19), Sheeran addressed the crowd before performing, acknowledging the difficult decisions surrounding the tour. “I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions and I am making mistakes and I’m so, so sorry,” he said. The singer added that he never intended to become an “activist musician,” but said the controversy has placed him in the middle of a debate over freedom of speech and the Israel-Gaza w@r.

Sheeran also addressed the conflict directly, calling the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 #ttack on Israel “horrific,” while describing what has happened in Gaza since then as “catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.” He added that his “heart has been broken” by the loss of civilian lives, particularly children.

His comments come after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. tour dates following his pro-P@lestinian statements while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said venues hosting upcoming shows indicated they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. Sheeran has maintained that removing the rapper was the promoter and venues’ decision, not his.

The fallout has since grown, with several supporting acts — including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Sheeran’s longtime collaborators Beoga — withdrawing from the tour. Despite the controversy, Sheeran continued with his Philadelphia show Saturday night, using the moment to publicly clarify his position and apologize for how the situation unfolded.