Music3 min(s) read
Ed Sheeran made a significant schedule adjustment to his upcoming LOOP Tour performance in Philadelphia. The modification came after opening acts pulled out of the concert series following a dispute involving rapper Macklemore.
The initial schedule for the concert at Lincoln Financial Field placed the opening start time at 5:30PM, with Sheeran slated to perform at 8:00PM.
Ticketmaster later updated the listing to reflect an overall concert start time of 8:00PM. Other tour stops remain listed with the earlier 5:30PM start time on the ticketer site.
Industry sources told TMZ that Sheeran plans to take the stage alone for the Philadelphia event because his backup band also chose to step down. The musician is accustomed to performing with only a guitar and has headlined stadium events without a backing band.
Meanwhile, local authorities have increased security measures around the venue to manage planned pro-Palestine demonstrations.
Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson Jasmine Reilly stated that officers are coordinating with security personnel to ensure proper precautions are taken for the artist.
The tour adjustments followed the decision by concert promoters to remove Macklemore from the lineup. The rapper drew criticism during earlier performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey after delivering a speech on stage.
During his set, Macklemore stated to 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 added: "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."
Following the appearance, multiple venues notified promoters that they would not permit Macklemore to perform. The Israeli-American Council also launched a petition calling for his removal. In the wake of his exit, other artists on the roster, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga, also opted to drop out of the tour.
Sheeran addressed the situation through a statement posted on Instagram, explaining that Macklemore had asked to join the tour and was initially accepted out of professional respect.
Sheeran stated: "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 noted 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."
The singer clarified his stance regarding his platform, writing: "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."
Ticket prices for the tour experienced a notable drop following the controversy. According to data from TicketData, resale values dropped 11 percent across the tour overall and 25 percent specifically for the Philadelphia date.
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