Watch: Concertgoers and pro-Palestinian activists arrive at Ed Sheeran concert

September 20, 2026

At Ed Sheeran's Philadelphia concert on Saturday night, attendees experienced mixed feelings about the performance after Macklemore was removed as the opening act due to pro-Palestinian comments he had made. The event proceeded without any opening performers or Sheeran's usual support band following the controversy. Outside the venue, pro-Palestinian demonstrators assembled to show solidarity with the dropped rapper and to call on Sheeran to publicly respond to the situation.

Who is affected

Ed Sheeran (performer whose concert format changed)
Macklemore (American rapper dropped from opening act)
Concertgoers/fans attending the Philadelphia concert
Pro-Palestinian activists/protesters
Ed Sheeran's support band (not performing)

What action is being taken

Concertgoers are filing into Ed Sheeran's concert
Pro-Palestinian protesters are gathering near the venue to express support for Macklemore
BBC correspondent Carl Nasman is speaking to fans and protesters at the event

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding public statements about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and demonstrates how political speech can have immediate professional consequences in the entertainment industry. The controversy also illustrates how geopolitical issues are increasingly intersecting with popular culture events, forcing artists and venues to navigate politically charged situations while fans and activists use these platforms to voice their positions.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC