Sheeran expected to perform in Philadelphia after opening acts withdraw

Ed Sheeran is scheduled to perform in Philadelphia on Saturday after Macklemore was removed from his tour following comments supporting Palestine. Several other opening acts have since withdrawn, while Palestinian advocacy groups are calling for a boycott and a rally is planned near the venue.

Ed Sheeran is expected to perform at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, his first scheduled appearance since Macklemore was removed from the United States leg of Sheeran’s tour. Sheeran may perform without opening acts after several artists withdrew in support of Macklemore and Palestinians in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

Macklemore was dropped after saying “free Palestine” during a September 5 show in New Jersey. Al Jazeera reported that the decision followed pressure from Robert Kraft, whose company owns a stadium where Sheeran was scheduled to perform. Sheeran has issued a statement denying responsibility for the decision and saying he is “not complicit.”

Finneas, who had been scheduled to perform with Sheeran in some cities, withdrew earlier this week. Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe, who were due to open at different points during the global tour, also announced that they would not perform.

The withdrawals have been accompanied by calls for a wider boycott. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, known as PACBI, urged a boycott of Sheeran’s world tour, including upcoming Latin American dates and a European leg that has not yet been announced. A pro-Palestinian rally is scheduled near the Philadelphia venue before Saturday’s concert.

Artists in Gaza also painted a mural supporting Macklemore in a Palestinian flag in the rubble of Gaza City, Al Jazeera reported. Anne Redwan, who created the mural with fellow artist Qusai al-Helo, told Reuters that it was intended to thank Macklemore for using his voice for Palestine. She said artists in Gaza were seeking support from people who could see the persecution they experience.

Al Jazeera said the dispute has prompted public support for Macklemore from artists, Palestinian rights groups and members of the public. The broadcaster also described the controversy as part of changing attitudes toward Israel and Palestine in the United States, while reporting that Sheeran’s tour remains scheduled to continue.