Ed Sheeran Tour Controversy: Macklemore Dropped, Family Abandonment Claims and Detailed Gaza Remarks

Ed Sheeran said he felt his friends and family had 'abandoned' him amid the fallout after Macklemore was removed from the tour following pro-Palestinian comments during his performances.

The 35-year-old singer made the remarks during an emotional address to fans at his Philadelphia concert at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, 19 September 2026. Sheeran apologised for how the situation had unfolded and said he had been forced to make difficult decisions as the dispute widened.

The dispute followed Macklemore's removal from the tour after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments during his performances, including at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Macklemore said 'Free Palestine' during his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. His remarks prompted calls from some groups to remove him from the tour because of the controversy over his scheduled appearances at venues including Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

Why Did the Ed Sheeran Tour Controversy Become Personal for Him?

The singer told fans the previous week had been difficult, and said people he had known for years had begun backing away from him.

'In these situations, you really find out who your friends are,' Sheeran said, according to the report. He described it as a 'weird week' and said events had moved extremely quickly.

He said people he had known for years had started backing away, while others were urging him to cancel the tour. He later described feeling abandoned by friends, family and other people he knew.

He contrasted that feeling with the about 50,000 fans who attended the Philadelphia concert. Sheeran said the support had helped him decide to continue with the tour, telling the audience: 'I can't let you guys down.'

The controversy intensified after Macklemore expressed support for Palestinians during his performances, prompting objections to his continued participation in the tour. The rapper's removal left Sheeran facing questions over his role in the decision. Sheeran said the tour promoter made the decision after venues indicated they would not host Macklemore, and that he had tried to mediate.

Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, said the venue would not provide a platform for what Kraft described as 'hate speech'. In a statement, Kraft cited what he described as Macklemore's 'broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery' when explaining why the rapper would not perform at Gillette Stadium.

Kraft subsequently confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium for Sheeran's scheduled September shows.

The fallout was not limited to Macklemore. Tour support acts including Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Finneas, along with Sheeran's backing band Beoga, withdrew from the tour after the dispute.

The withdrawals left Sheeran without his previously announced Philadelphia opening acts or Beoga during the show.

'Never Wanted To Be An Activist Musician'

'I don't want to disappoint fans, and I've never wanted to be an activist musician,' Sheeran said. He also added that the dispute had put him 'in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech' and what he called 'the most complex political issue on the planet'.

Sheeran said the dispute had put him in a difficult position over the balance between freedom of speech, venue policies and his desire to keep his concerts focused on music.

Sheeran said his concerts had always been intended as a 'safe space for everyone' and that his commitment to his fans was central to his decision to continue the tour.

Sheeran said he was 'deeply worried' about venues pre-approving content and performances, saying it happens in places where he performs around the world but 'should never happen in the free world'.

He described the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks in Israel, including the Nova music festival attacks in Israel, and described the situation in Gaza as 'catastrophic and unjustifiable'. He said he was deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation and the conflict's impact on civilians.