Singer Ed Sheeran opened his latest concert alone onstage and apologised to his fans for making “mistakes” as he handled the fallout from the controversy over American rapper Macklemore being dropped from his tour over pro-Palestinian remarks.
“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.
Saturday’s show at a Philadelphia sports stadium was the first time he has addressed the matter in person.
It was a stripped down event and Sheeran went on without opening acts after several musicians dropped out over the debacle.
The price for tickets dropped and sales declined for the remaining US leg of his Loop Tour due to the controversy.
The singer has said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by his promoters, not him.
“My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone,” he said at the start of the show, adding that he is committed to fans and that is why he returned to the stage.
“Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand,” he said.
“I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”
Sheeran said what happened in Israel during the 7 October 2023 attacks was “horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain”.
He added: “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children’s lives, and this systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
He said he is trying “to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times and listening and learning, because I do not know enough”.
Sheeran’s remaining tour dates are scheduled with shows set throughout North and South America. While the mega-star’s previous tour was among the highest-grossing of all time, some ticket prices for this show have dropped to $32 (£24).
Fans also reported being able to get ticket refunds, though Ticketmaster and concert promoter Messina Touring Group did not confirm they were being reimbursed.
An hour or so before the show began, hundreds concert-goers began to stream in for the event.
There was a smattering of press cameras outside the entry gates, though most fans skipped talking to the press.
A few dozen protesters turned up outside the nearest tube stop waving flags as ticket holders streamed towards Lincoln Financial Field – but the concert proceeded largely unfettered.