Ed Sheeran apologises for ‘mistakes’ in emotional on-stage speech after Macklemore row

| Freelance News Reporter Published September 20, 2026 7:42am Updated September 20, 2026 8:08am Ed Sheeran has apologised to fans for ‘mistakes’ which have seen several supporting musicians pull out of his The Loop tour (Picture: Reuters/PA) Ed Sheeran has said he questioned his own future as an artist following the fallout from Macklemore’s departure from his world tour. The singer-songwriter told fans he was ‘so, so, sorry’ after several supporting acts were forced to drop out of The Loop tour after comments on Gaza. Addressing the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia last night, Sheeran conceded he had made ‘mistakes’, while condemning the ‘catastrophic’ war in Gaza. He said: ‘I really didn’t know whether this tour would be carrying on. ‘I really didn’t know whether I’d be even getting on stage again, whether I even wanted to be an artist at all. ‘In these situations, you really find out who your friends are, and it’s been a weird week. I just feel like it happened very quickly.’ The musician said he wanted his shows to be about ‘unity’, having tried in the past to avoid being a ‘political commentator’ during shows. The drama kicked off when Macklemore was removed from the tour (Picture: WireImage for MTV) He continued: ‘What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. ‘What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, children’s lives. ‘And the systemic injustice we are seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.’ He also said he was ‘deeply worried’ venues would start to ‘pre-approve’ artists or their content. Macklemore was removed from the tour after he called ‘Free Palestine’ during opening concerts and branded the situation in Gaza a ‘genocide’. He also said his criticism of Israel was not intended to be directed at ‘my Jewish brothers and sisters’. The fallout saw prices for tickets for this show drop to as low as $32, despite Sheeran’s previous tour finishing as one of the highest-grossing on record. Acts which have backed out of the show in solidarity with the rapper include Aaron Rowe, Grammy award-winning musician and Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas, Danish singer Lukas Graham, and Sheeran’s backing band Beoga. A small pro-Palestinian protest formed outside Lincoln Financial Field as Sheeran was playing (Picture: Getty Images) Several local fans came out to back the musician ahead of the show. James Webber IV from Scranton, Pennsylvania, said: ‘I stand with Ed. I think there’s a time for politics and a music concert is not one of those places.’ ‘Everyone has their own opinion and it’s fine’, commented Kassandra Rivera from Philadelphia. However a small pro-Palestinian protest also took place outside the venue. One protester, Hillary Steinberg, said she had sent her tickets back, declaring ‘all art is political’. Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Sheeran began The Loop tour in Auckland, New Zealand, and is set to play 16 shows across North and South America until December, when he will wrap up with a gig in Mexico City. Arrow MORE: Jeremy Clarkson defends Ed Sheeran after Macklemore controversy: ‘Who’ll get cancelled next?’ Arrow MORE: What should Ed Sheeran do next after US tour erupts in controversy? Arrow MORE: Ed Sheeran’s cousin says he’s ‘ashamed’ of star in brutal public attack Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.