Philadelphia residents who bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran at Lincoln Financial Field this Saturday will likely see a solo headliner. The English singer‑songwriter confirmed the show will go on, but a string of opening acts—including Macklemore, Irish singer‑songwriter Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Beoga and Lukas Graham—have withdrawn.
Why the acts pulled out
The controversy began when Macklemore, who performed at the New Jersey stop earlier this month, wore a keffiyeh and used his stage to call for a “Free Palestine” rally. He also told his audience that criticism of Israel’s policies does not equate to criticism of Jewish people. Within days, stadium owner Robert Kraft announced he would bar Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, citing a pattern of “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” that he said was deeply offensive to the Jewish community.
Kraft’s statement said the decision was based on Macklemore’s recent actions and material shared during the New Jersey shows. Following Kraft’s ultimatum, Sheeran’s promoter removed Macklemore from the remaining U.S. dates, and other artists slated to open for Sheeran subsequently announced their own withdrawals, citing solidarity with the rapper or concerns about the evolving situation.
Local fans react
Ticket‑holders are split. Karen DeAngelis, a Virginia resident traveling with her 10‑year‑old daughter, said she remains unsure whether to attend after Sheeran did not publicly defend Macklemore. “I thought you couldn’t stand up for free speech,” DeAngelis said, adding that the heightened security presence and potential protests make her uneasy.
Other fans, like Philadelphia resident Heather Park, are undeterred. “I’m still going,” Park told CNN. “Even if Macklemore were still opening, I would still go. He’s allowed to have his opinion, and I’m allowed to have mine.”
Security and refunds
The Philadelphia Police Department confirmed it will monitor the event and adjust security as needed. The department’s statement emphasized coordination with venue staff to protect concertgoers, employees and nearby residents.
Ticket resale prices have dropped sharply as the concert approaches. TicketData noted that the promoter began offering refunds through Ticketmaster’s chat support, effectively placing a floor under the resale market. Founder Keith Pagello said offering refunds in this situation is “going above and beyond,” as promoters typically do not provide refunds when an opening act withdraws.
What’s next for the show?
The concert, originally slated for a 5:30 p.m. start, has been pushed to 8:00 p.m. It remains unclear whether Sheeran will address the lack of opening acts onstage. British singer‑songwriter Billy Bragg has publicly urged Sheeran to voice “Free Palestine” from the stage, while Irish artist Aaron Rowe suggested the focus should be on stadium owner Robert Kraft, whom he called a “person who tried to shut down free speech.”
Sheeran’s own statement, posted on Instagram, reiterated his decision to keep his platform non‑political, noting his audience includes children of all backgrounds. He expressed respect for Macklemore’s passion while emphasizing that multiple approaches can lead to peace.
As the concert draws near, fans and local officials will watch closely to see how the event proceeds amid the ongoing free‑speech and security concerns.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
