Ed Sheeran took the unusual step of removing the B stage from his Philadelphia concert Saturday, saying he was “afraid of what might happen” if he performed in the middle of the crowd.
The decision came during Sheeran’s first Loop Tour performance since Macklemore was dropped as an opening act over the rapper’s comments supporting Palestine. The controversy also led the tour’s remaining opening acts to withdraw, leaving Sheeran to perform without a supporting lineup.
“At this point in the show, to be honest, I usually go out on the B stage,” the 35-year-old singer told the audience at Lincoln Financial Field. A fan recorded the remarks and shared the footage on X over the weekend.
Sheeran said he had been uncertain about how the Philadelphia crowd would respond. “I didn’t know what this audience would be like,” the Grammy winner explained. “I didn’t know if I would have things thrown at me. I didn’t know if people would be angry at me.”
With a smile and a shrug, he apologized for changing the format of the concert. “Today is not the usual Loop show,” Sheeran said. “I took the B stage out because I was afraid of what might happen if I stood in the middle. And I will admit that.”
A representative for Sheeran did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
The singer launched his Loop Tour in January, but Saturday’s Philadelphia performance differed from the usual production in another significant way beyond the missing B stage.
Because no opening acts were scheduled, Sheeran moved the concert’s start time to 8 p.m.
Macklemore, 43, was removed from the bill the previous week following his “Free Palestine” remarks. Sheeran’s backing band later left in solidarity, while scheduled openers Fikas, Lukas Graham and Aarow Rowe also pulled out.
Sheeran addressed the fallout at the beginning of Saturday’s show, becoming emotional and breaking down in tears as he spoke to the crowd.
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“This is not usually how I would open the show,” the “A Team” singer said. “But before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s OK if I say a few words about this last week.” Sheeran added that he was accustomed to criticism of his music, but said the latest backlash involved “something much more important.”
“I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry,” he continued. Sheeran said he had never intended to become an activist musician, but found himself caught up in “an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.”
He emphasized that his concerts have always been intended as welcoming spaces for everyone. “Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am,” Sheeran said, explaining that this was why he had come to perform alone and continue the tour.
Sheeran first addressed the controversy publicly in an Instagram statement Tuesday. He said he was “not complicit” in the “devastating conflict” in the Middle East and stressed that he was not personally responsible for Macklemore’s removal.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote. He explained that Macklemore’s agreement was with the promoter rather than with him, adding that he would not abandon fans who had made plans or the touring crew and support musicians depending on the shows for work.
Messina Touring Group, which promoted the US leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, said Macklemore was removed after discussions with shareholders. The company cited several venues, including the Philadelphia stadium, that would not permit concerts featuring Macklemore on the lineup.
Macklemore addressed the situation first on Instagram, writing that believing all people deserve equal treatment “should never be controversial.”
In a lengthy post Monday, the “Thrift Shop” rapper defended his decision to speak openly in support of Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas War. He said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
Macklemore also argued that he and Sheeran should not be viewed as victims because they have careers, financial security, opportunities, safety and global audiences. Palestinians, he wrote, have been killed, starved, displaced and subjected to unimaginable violence.
Despite the dispute, Macklemore said in his post that he hoped to remain friends with Sheeran.