Singer Ed Sheeran speaks about Gaza during first performance since Macklemore cancellation
Singer Ed Sheeran spoke out about the situation in Gaza during his first performance since American rapper Macklemore was removed from the opening act. He called the situation at the beginning of the concert in Philadelphia "catastrophic and unjust." He also responded to the controversy that arose over the decision to no longer allow the rapper to perform.
Macklemore was supposed to tour the United States with Sheeran. During a concert on September 4 at MetLife Stadium in the U.S. state of New Jersey, the rapper drew attention to the situation of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. For example, he called out "Free Palestine."
Stadium owner
Macklemore said after leaving the tour that Robert Kraft, the owner of the stadium in Massachusetts where Sheeran is scheduled to perform next week, had contacted the British singer. Kraft reportedly told him that Macklemore was not allowed to perform in his stadium. According to the rapper, Kraft also turned other stadium owners against him.
Kraft responded that he did not want Macklemore to perform because of his statements and a "broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery." He said he feels responsible to intervene when, in his view, a line is crossed.
'Decision of organizer'
Sheeran received criticism for removing Macklemore. Some fans felt he should have taken a clearer stance. Sheeran himself said that the decision to remove Macklemore did not come from him, but from the tour organizer.
Members of Sheeran's backing band Beoga and three other acts that were to perform in the opening act also withdrew. These are Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe. They did so out of solidarity with Macklemore.
Apologies for mistakes
During the concert last night, Sheeran apologized for the "mistakes" he said he had made in dealing with the situation. "I never wanted to become an activist musician, but this has placed me in the middle of an important and passionate debate about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue in the world," he said.
Sheeran previously said he does not want to use his performances as a political platform. At the same time, he said he has personal views about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. He said he had tried during the week to find a solution between the parties involved.
Demonstration
About the situation in Gaza, Sheeran said during the concert: "My heart is broken by the scale of the destruction and the loss of civilian and children's lives." He also said that he wants his music and performances to be about unity and humanity, not politics.
About fifty pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in front of the stadium prior to the concert.