Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, USA), 20 September (LaPresse/AP) – What is happening in Gaza is ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’. These were the words of Ed Sheeran, who, whilst opening his solo concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, addressed the controversy that has erupted in recent days. “My heart was broken by the scale of the devastation and the loss of life, especially that of children,” said the singer. In recent days, rapper Macklemore, originally scheduled to be the support act on Ed Sheeran’s US tour, was dropped from the tour after shouting “Free Palestine” from the stage during a concert on 5 September in New Jersey. Sheeran stated that he was not responsible for the decision, which was taken at the request of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company owns the stadium where Friday’s concert was due to take place. Following Macklemore’s public outcry, the other artists who were part of the tour withdrew in a show of solidarity with the rapper. Sheeran began the concert without any support acts. “I’ve had to make some difficult decisions and I’m making mistakes; I’m really, really sorry,” said Sheeran in front of a nearly full stadium. He added: “I don’t want to let my fans down, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this situation has placed me at the centre of an important and passionate debate on freedom of expression and the most complex political issue on the planet.” He stated that the attacks of 7 October 2023 in Israel were horrific but that what is happening in Gaza is “catastrophic and unjustifiable”. He added, however, that everyone is welcome at his concerts and that people can hold opposing views whilst still singing his songs, which speak of “love, hope and unity”.
Music: Ed Sheeran speaks out about Gaza from the stage, calling the situation ‘unjustifiable’
Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, USA), 20 September (LaPresse/AP) – What is happening in Gaza is ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’. These were the words of Ed Sheeran, who, whilst opening his solo concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, addressed the controversy that has erupted in recent days. “My heart was broken by the scale of the devastation and the loss of life, especially that of children,” said the singer. In recent days, rapper Macklemore, originally scheduled to be the support act on Ed Sheeran’s US tour, was dropped from the tour after shouting “Free Palestine” from the stage during a concert on 5 September in New Jersey. Sheeran stated that he was not responsible for the decision, which was taken at the request of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company owns the stadium where Friday’s concert was due to take place. Following Macklemore’s public outcry, the other artists who were part of the tour withdrew in a show of solidarity with the rapper. Sheeran began the concert without any support acts. “I’ve had to make some difficult decisions and I’m making mistakes; I’m really, really sorry,” said Sheeran in front of a nearly full stadium. He added: “I don’t want to let my fans down, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this situation has placed me at the centre of an important and passionate debate on freedom of expression and the most complex political issue on the planet.” He stated that the attacks of 7 October 2023 in Israel were horrific but that what is happening in Gaza is “catastrophic and unjustifiable”. He added, however, that everyone is welcome at his concerts and that people can hold opposing views whilst still singing his songs, which speak of “love, hope and unity”.