Ed Sheeran took to the stage in Philadelphia for the first time since the controversy sparked by the exclusion of rapper Macklemore from his tour, following some pro-Palestinian statements. The removal of the artist who was opening his concerts and who in early September had called for the "liberation of Palestine" drew an unprecedented wave of criticism against the British pop star, a musician who until now had been widely appreciated and far removed from controversy.
Sheeran spoke about Gaza for the first time. "The situation is unjustifiable," he said. Prior to this statement, Sheeran had attempted to quell the controversy with a message posted on Instagram, saying he did "not want to turn his work into a political platform." "I am not complicit. I have my own personal opinions on this devastating conflict."
Meanwhile, several dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside a subway station near Lincoln Financial Field, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Free, free Palestine." Police officers, in a dozen cars, monitored the peaceful demonstration from a distance.
Ahead of Saturday evening's concert, the author of the worldwide hit "Shape of You" had attempted to calm the controversy with a message posted on Instagram. "The fact that I choose not to speak out publicly does not mean I don't have opinions or that the matter is not close to my heart," he said. However, accused of failing to defend his friend Macklemore and above all of not denouncing the conditions of Palestinians in Gaza, Sheeran has been abandoned by other musicians on his tour and risks a fan boycott.
In the meantime, the price of the cheapest tickets has dropped from $123 to $67.
