Protestors March Outside Ed Sheeran Concert After Macklemore Was Dropped From Tour: ‘It’s Not Going to Stop Until Palestine is Free’

Around 100 supporters of Palestinian rights assembled outside Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia on Saturday evening, scheduling their demonstration for 4:30 p.m. to precede Ed Sheeran's 8 p.m. show. The British singer-songwriter — whose 2017 album ÷ (Divide) ranks among the decade's top-selling releases — took the stage as the evening's only performer, following a string of notable withdrawals that reshaped his Loop Tour. Jodi Rhoden, an organizer with Writers Against the War in Gaza, was among the crowd and described the rally as just one component of a much larger effort. "It's much bigger than Ed Sheeran. It's much bigger than Macklemore," she remarked. "It's a movement for Palestinian lives, and it's not going to stop until Palestine is free."

According to Rhoden, although numerous individuals have "lost their livelihoods for speaking the truth about this genocide," public opinion seems to be turning. She cited the reaction from Sheeran's own fanbase as proof of that shift. "It seems like we've really hit a tipping point, and public opinion has changed," she stated. Grace, an 18-year-old college student at the rally, said her attendance was important "because we have to continue talking about Palestine," and expressed hope that Sheeran would "acknowledge what he did was wrong and say he wants to free Palestine." Scheduled speakers represented Writers Against the War in Gaza, the Boycott Cooknsolo Coalition, and Shut Down Day & Zimmermann, while the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down Day & Zimmermann also called on supporters to gather at the stadium.

The uproar can be traced to Macklemore's guest appearances at Sheeran's Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. There, the Seattle rapper delivered his 2024 pro-Palestinian song "Hind's Hall," showed Gaza footage, and led a "Free Palestine" chant from the stage. Within days, tour promoter Messina Touring Group said Macklemore would be removed from the remaining shows, citing threats from several venues to block concerts featuring him and the risk that keeping him could jeopardize the entire tour. Macklemore later claimed that Robert Kraft — the New England Patriots owner whose company runs Gillette Stadium, where Sheeran is scheduled for Sept. 25 and 26 — was behind the decision, alleging Kraft pressured other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum. Kraft acknowledged his opposition, stating that Macklemore's participation at Gillette "would cross that line," and contended that the rapper's portrayal of the Israel-Hamas war overlooked Hamas's actions while fueling division and hatred. Macklemore has defended his advocacy and denied accusations of antisemitism.

Sheeran has insisted the choice rested with the promoter and venues rather than himself, adding that he consulted venue owners, promoters, and activists in an unsuccessful search for a solution. The consequences reached beyond Macklemore: Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga — the Irish group that had played as part of Sheeran's live band — all exited the Loop Tour. Consequently, Saturday's Philadelphia performance was moved from its originally advertised 5:30 p.m. slot to 8 p.m., leaving Sheeran as the sole act. The situation has also ignited a local dispute over barring Macklemore from a publicly owned stadium. The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations sent an open letter to the Philadelphia Eagles, the City of Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Group, and others, challenging the decision on free-expression grounds, and submitted a public-records request to determine who told Messina Touring Group that Macklemore could no longer perform there. Ahead of the rally, Philadelphia police said they were coordinating with the venue and organizers and would adjust staffing based on public-safety needs, while a department spokesperson noted officers had been in contact with Sheeran's team regarding concert security.