Ed Sheeran Addresses Macklemore Removal and Gaza at Philadelphia Concert

Ed Sheeran opened his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday by addressing the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from the tour, concerns over venues restricting artists’ speech, and his own views on Israel and Palestine: “I’ve had to make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry. I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet. Of course. “My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am, and that is why I’m here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour. “But I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performance. This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world. “Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand. I have tried in my career not t...