Ed Sheeran Philadelphia Concert Loses Opening Acts After Macklemore Fallout

Ed Sheeran is set to hit the stage again in Philadelphia this Saturday, though the show looks very different than planned. The massive opening act lineup has dissolved after musicians walked away following the expulsion of Macklemore from his own tour dates. That rapper was removed from a US circuit after he shouted "free Palestine" during a performance in New Jersey back on September 5. Robert Kraft, a billionaire owner of a stadium where Sheeran was supposed to play, pushed for the removal. The backlash against that decision caused other artists to quit as well.

Finneas, who works closely with Billie Eilish, pulled out earlier this week along with Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe. These acts were meant to open for Sheeran across various cities on his global run. Now the star may have to sing alone since everyone else dropped out in support of Macklemore and Gaza. A pro-Palestinian rally is scheduled near Lincoln Financial Field before the concert starts.

Palestinian advocacy groups are demanding a full boycott of the tour, including upcoming dates in Latin America and an unannounced European leg. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel stated clearly that Sheeran faces responsibility for stifling criticism of Israel's war. They view his presence as complicity in efforts to silence voices about what happens under siege conditions there.

In Gaza City, artists painted a mural of Macklemore inside the rubble using colors from the Palestinian flag. Anne Redwan designed the piece with fellow artist Qusai al-Helo after seeing how many people remain displaced without basic services despite ceasefire talks. Israel continues to strike frequently across the region while many live in misery without access to water or food. "We wanted to send a message to thank rapper Macklemore in this simple way," Redwan told Reuters about their work. She added that artists under siege are waiting for support from anyone who can see what they endure daily.

The situation highlights how quickly public opinion has shifted regarding Israel's conduct since the war began. Support for Israel has dropped to record lows across the political spectrum, especially among Democrats and progressives. This swing in sentiment was not always possible when backing that nation was once unquestioned and reliably bipartisan. Macklemore's removal sparked an outpouring of support from fellow musicians, rights groups, and regular citizens everywhere. Ed Sheeran released a statement denying any complicity in the situation and saying he is not responsible for those who quit.