Ed Sheeran gives speech before first concert back since drama erupted, apologises for ‘mistakes’

In his first concert since drama erupted after Macklemore was dropped from his tour, Ed Sheeran has apologised to fans.

Earlier this week, the American rapper was removed from Sheeran’s Loop tour after saying “Free Palestine” during a September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Since then, support acts and Sheeran’s own band quit the tour, his music was pulled from an Irish radio station, his cousin called him a “coward”, and he has been the centre of discussions across the globe.

On Saturday night, local time, Sheeran told audiences at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia that he was used to copping criticism for his music, which did not bother him.

“But 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,” he said at the beginning of the show.

He said he “didn’t want to disaapoint fans” and that he had never wanted to be “an activist musician”.

“This has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” he continued.

“My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am, and that is why I’m here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour.

“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 then — for the first time and after earlier this week saying he was apolitical — explained his stance on the war.

“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,” he told the stadium.

“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.

“What happened in Israel at Nova Music Festival on October seven 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 civilian’s lives, of children’s lives.

“And the systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”

The four-time Grammy winner said he was “speaking to people across the spectrum” in attempt to learn more and find a way to meaningfully contribute to victims.

Sheeran added that he was “listening and learning because I don’t know enough”.

He concluded the speech by saying, through tears, that he was grateful to those who had attended the concert, despite there being no support act.

“This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views, and everyone here can stand by people they don’t agree with on everything,” Sheeran said.

“But they can all agree on singing these songs, and these songs are about love, hope and unity.”

Before Ed took to the stage, about 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside the venue.

Earlier in the week, Sheeran insisted the decision to drop Macklemore was not his.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Ed wrote on Instagram.

“Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”

He said stadium owner Robert Kraft objected to what he described as “hate speech”, with other venues subsequently following suit.

“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” Ed said.

“Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”

Macklemore acknowledged that taking a public position could come at a significant professional price.

“Taking a side can cost you,” he wrote on social media.

“Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”

Other supporting acts have since pulled out, while some fans are attempting to resell tickets or seek refunds.

Sheeran’s Instagram followers have fallen by at least 300,000.

Macklemore said on Wednesday he was donating $US1 million ($A1.4 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 $US2 million ($A2.8 million) but have not specified where the money will be directed.

Sheeran’s Loop Tour was the highest-grossing in the world, with an average box office gross of over $US7 million ($A9.8 million) per city, Pollstar said in May. Through the end of 2025, Sheeran was the No. 3 top-earning concert act since 2021.