Ed Sheeran’s concert in Philadelphia on Saturday night was met with a protest outside the venue as demonstrators voiced their support for Palestine. The event at Lincoln Financial Field marked the artist’s first performance since rapper Macklemore was removed from his tour lineup following his own pro-Palestine statements.
Protesters Gather Outside Lincoln Financial Field
Dozens of activists gathered near the stadium ahead of Sheeran’s performance, chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine.” Some protesters held signs criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with messages like “Netanyahu has blood on his hands” and “Let Gaza live.” One individual was seen wearing a red baseball cap modified to read “Make Palestine Free Again,” a play on the “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Organizing groups, including the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z, had previously posted online statements such as, “Billionaires, Zionists & Warmongers out of Philly,” signaling their intent to protest the event.
Video footage captured by FreedomNews and reported by TMZ showed one protester shouting, “F*** your concert, f*** your fans. Palestine is our demand.” Another sign questioned, “If this is your land, why do you destroy all life on it?”
Context: Macklemore’s Removal and Tour Fallout
The Philadelphia demonstration occurred in the wake of Macklemore’s dismissal from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s LOOP Tour. Macklemore had made remarks supporting Palestine during his own performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. Following his comments, it was announced that he would no longer be part of Sheeran’s tour.
Macklemore later shared on Instagram that Ed Sheeran had informed him that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, had deemed him unwelcome. According to Macklemore, Kraft had also reportedly contacted other stadium owners, leading to a collective ultimatum: if Macklemore remained on the tour, Sheeran would be barred from performing at their venues.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” Macklemore wrote. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.” He acknowledged that Sheeran was in a difficult position due to their 13-year friendship.
Opening Acts Withdraw Support
The controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal led to several other artists and bands withdrawing from their scheduled appearances as opening acts on Sheeran’s tour. These included Finneas, Aaron Rowe, the band Lukas Graham, and Sheeran’s long-time backing band, Beoga.
Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, stated that “artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”
Melissa Barrera’s Reaction
Actress Melissa Barrera, who was previously removed from the “Scream” franchise for her pro-Palestine stance, expressed her emotions regarding the artists’ decisions to withdraw. “It was so beautiful to see Finneas and the band and all the opening acts pulling out in support of Macklemore. It made me emotional,” Barrera told the Associated Press.
She reflected on her own experience, noting, “I didn’t get that when it happened to me. I didn’t have any of that happen. It was too soon. People were too scared. But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed.”
Sheeran’s Statement and Ticket Sales
Ed Sheeran addressed the situation via an Instagram statement, clarifying that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoters, not by him. He emphasized his commitment to his fans and his touring crew, stating, “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
Reports indicated that the controversy may have impacted ticket sales for the Philadelphia concert. Hours before the show, a significant number of tickets were reportedly still available for purchase across various seating sections, with prices ranging from $51 to $234 for standard seats and $229 to $298 for pit tickets, according to StubHub data.
Conclusion
The protest outside Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert highlights the ongoing public discourse and activism surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, even extending into the entertainment industry. The events underscore the complex interplay between artistic expression, political statements, and the commercial realities of large-scale music tours.
