Ed Sheeran Tour Sees Ticket Sales Dip Amid Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' Controversy
Hundreds of tickets remain available for Sheeran's Philadelphia concert as fallout from Macklemore's pro-Palestine remarks continues.
Ed Sheeran's ongoing LOOP Tour is experiencing a notable dip in ticket sales for its Philadelphia stop, with hundreds of tickets still available days before the concert. This development follows the removal of rapper Macklemore from the remainder of the tour after his public statements supporting Palestine.
The concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, scheduled for Saturday, has numerous tickets listed on resale platforms ranging from $51 to $234 for main seating levels, and $229 to $298 for areas closer to the stage. This comes as Sheeran's proteges, Katseye, have also unfollowed the artist.
Macklemore was removed from the tour after delivering a speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, chanting "Free Palestine" and projecting images of devastation in Gaza during his performance. He stated that his intention was to let people in Gaza and the West Bank know they had not been forgotten.
According to Macklemore's account on Instagram, Sheeran informed him that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, had contacted Sheeran. Macklemore claimed Kraft stated he would not be allowed to perform in his stadium and had collectively pressured other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum: either Macklemore would be removed from the tour, or Sheeran would not be permitted to play in their venues.
Sheeran addressed the situation on Instagram, asserting that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoters, not by him. He emphasized his commitment to not letting down fans, touring crew, or other support acts who depend on the tour for their livelihoods.
However, the controversy has led to several other artists withdrawing from scheduled appearances on Sheeran's tour. Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, cited that "artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed." Tour openers Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and the band Beoga also withdrew.
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters and singer Pink have publicly criticized Sheeran for his stance or lack thereof. Pink reposted a message from StopAntisemitism that characterized Macklemore's performance as "anti-Israel propaganda" and demanded apologies and refunds for concertgoers.
Macklemore's initial remarks in New Jersey included calling for freedom for Palestine, Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and Iran. He also referred to ICE as a "terrorist organization." The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, has a history of voicing support for Palestinians and critiquing Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The backlash included a petition launched by the Israeli-American Council calling for Macklemore's removal from the tour, arguing that a concert platform should not be used for one-sided political agendas. Fan reactions on social media were divided, with some supporting Macklemore's message and others accusing him of anti-Semitic rhetoric.