Ed Sheeran Tour Sees Ticket Sales Slump Amid Macklemore Controversy
Resale market prices for Sheeran's Philadelphia concert drop significantly as the fallout from Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' remarks continues.
Ed Sheeran's current tour is experiencing a notable downturn in ticket sales, with hundreds of tickets remaining available for his Saturday concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The dip in demand appears to be linked to the controversy surrounding his former tour opener, Macklemore, and his 'Free Palestine' remarks.
Tickets for the Philadelphia show were still being offered on resale platforms for prices ranging from $51 to $234 on the main seating levels, with prime Pit tickets available from $229 to $298, hours before the event. This situation marks a significant drop in resale value for the concert.
Macklemore was officially removed from the remainder of Sheeran's LOOP Tour on Monday, following his onstage speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. According to Macklemore, Ed Sheeran informed him that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, had threatened to deny Sheeran access to his venues if Macklemore remained on the tour. Macklemore stated that Kraft allegedly rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum.
Sheeran, in a statement released on Instagram, clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his own but came from the promoters. He emphasized his commitment to fans, the touring crew, and other support acts who rely on the shows for their livelihood.
The controversy began when Macklemore used his opening set to chant 'Free Palestine' and deliver a politically charged speech, stating that people in Gaza and the West Bank had not been forgotten. He projected images of the devastation in Gaza during his performance of the song 'Hind's Hall.'
Macklemore's actions have drawn criticism from various figures, including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters. Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother, also withdrew from his scheduled appearances on Sheeran's tour, stating that artists should not be silenced for speaking out for the oppressed.
Other tour openers, such as Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Sheeran's backing band Beoga, also withdrew. Pink publicly commented on the controversy by reposting a statement from StopAntisemitism, which criticized Macklemore's performance as anti-Israel propaganda and demanded an apology and refunds for concertgoers.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, has a history of voicing support for Palestinians and has previously criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. During his speeches, he also referred to ICE as a 'terrorist organization' and called for freedom for Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and Iran.
An online petition, initiated by the Israeli-American Council, called for Macklemore's removal from the tour, arguing that a concert should not be used as a platform for political activism.
Sheeran's concert on Saturday is his first performance since Macklemore's removal, and the impact on attendance is being closely watched amid planned protests outside the venue.