Ed Sheeran has changed the schedule for his Philadelphia concert after the opening acts withdrew from his LOOP Tour amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore.
The 35-year-old singer is due to perform at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 19, but the event’s timetable has now been revised.
The adjustment follows Macklemore’s removal from the tour after the rapper faced backlash over a “Free Palestine” speech delivered onstage several weeks ago. The remaining opening acts have also pulled out in solidarity.
Sheeran’s Philadelphia show was initially scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., with the headliner expected to take the stage at 8 p.m.
According to Ticketmaster, the concert will now start at 8 p.m.
The rest of Sheeran’s scheduled tour dates continue to list a 5:30 p.m. start time on the ticketing website.
Ed Sheeran, 35, has revised his Philadelphia concert schedule after the opening acts withdrew from his LOOP Tour amid the Macklemore controversy; pictured in Madrid in 2025
Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s tour after his “Free Palestine” speech triggered backlash, while the other opening acts later withdrew in solidarity; pictured in 2023
Daily Mail has contacted Sheeran’s representatives for comment but has not received a response.
Sheeran is reportedly ready to perform the Philadelphia concert on his own after his backing band also withdrew, according to music industry sources cited by TMZ in a report published Friday.
Although final preparations are still evolving, the singer is accustomed to performing with only a guitar, the sources said. He has also played stadium shows without a backing band in the past.
Security measures have been increased ahead of the Philadelphia performance, with officials working to ensure a “sizable” police presence at the venue.
Pro-Palestine demonstrations are expected to take place outside the stadium.
Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson Jasmine Reilly told TMZ, “Our officers are talking to his team to make sure all appropriate measures are taken” to protect Sheeran and maintain his safety.
News of Macklemore’s departure from the LOOP Tour emerged earlier this week after his pro-Palestine remarks onstage prompted widespread criticism.
Several U.S. venues reportedly told tour promoters they would not permit the rapper to perform after his politically charged speech and the backlash that followed, according to Rolling Stone.
Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert was originally due to start at 5:30 p.m., with his performance scheduled for 8 p.m.; Ticketmaster now lists the entire event as beginning at 8 p.m.; pictured in Dublin in 2025
Music industry sources told TMZ that Sheeran is prepared to perform alone in Philadelphia after his backing band withdrew; pictured in Boston in 2025
Macklemore was dropped from the LOOP Tour after facing backlash for a pro-Palestine speech onstage; pictured in France in August
A petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the tour was also launched.
The Thrift Shop hitmaker had opened for Sheeran on both September 4 and September 5 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
At one point during his performance, Macklemore told the crowd, ‘One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America.
‘And say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine. I said, Free Palestine!’
He continued, ‘I want those words to be loud and clear so that people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.’
Macklemore also labeled ICE as a ‘terrorist organization’ while also saying, ‘Free Palestine. Free Cuba, Congo, Sudan and Iran.’
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A petition was drawn up by the Israeli-American Council which stated that the rapper should be dropped from Sheeran’s tour.
And amid the Macklemore drama, ticket prices for the LOOP Tour have plummeted.
At one point during his performance, Macklemore told the crowd, ‘One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America’; Sheeran and Macklemore seen in 2014
And amid the Macklemore drama, ticket prices for the LOOP Tour have plummeted; Sheeran seen in 2024
According to TMZ, TicketData reported an 11 percent drop in resale prices since Monday of this week.
But ticket prices had already been slowly falling before Macklemore being cut from the tour.
A TicketData representative told the outlet, ‘Some softening in the run-up to the show is not atypical for this tour.’
For Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert, resale prices have dropped 25 percent, which the rep told TMZ was ‘clearly pushing the edge of what you’d normally expect.’
‘I think it’s safe to say that any further decline today would be a strong sign that demand, and ticket prices, are falling by a newsworthy amount, at least for that show.’
After Macklemore was cut from the tour, Sheeran broke his silence by releasing a lengthy statement to Instagram.
After Macklemore was cut from the tour, Sheeran broke his silence by releasing a lengthy statement to Instagram; seen in 2025
He wrote that he is ‘appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.’
Sheeran said that Macklemore ‘asked to join my tour’ and said yes since he ‘respects him as an artist.’
‘After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting.’
He continued, ‘I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performances, rather than on everything that was said.’
Sheeran explained that he tried to ‘build a bridge’ but ‘the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.’
The star also told his followers that, ‘Macklemore coming off the tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.’
Other openers that dropped out of the LOOP Tour included Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga; Finneas seen in 2025 in LA
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He added he will ‘never let down the fans’ and does have ‘personal views on the devastating conflict’ which he chooses to not publicly speak about.
Sheeran said that he does not ‘use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds.’
In conclusion, the singer wrote, ‘I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.’
Other openers that dropped out of the LOOP Tour included Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga.