Ed Sheeran resumes tour amid Palestine row
Ed Sheeran is set to return to the stage on Saturday at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field, potentially performing alone after every supporting act withdrew from his US Loop Tour.
The upheaval began when rapper Macklemore shouted "Free Palestine" and referred to genocide in Gaza during shows at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium in early September. He was removed from the tour on 14 September. Sheeran said the decision was taken by his promoter, Messina Touring Group, after venues warned they would not host concerts featuring the rapper.
Macklemore has claimed he was dropped under pressure from billionaire Robert Kraft, the Jewish owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, who accused the rapper of antisemitic rhetoric. Four acts — Finneas, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham and backing band Beoga — quit in solidarity.
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Macklemore has pledged to donate his $1m tour earnings to Palestinian relief and challenged Kraft to match it. Kraft said Sheeran had asked him to commit $2m towards aid in the region.
No replacement acts have been announced. Pro-Palestinian groups plan to protest near the venue, where Philadelphia police have promised an appropriate presence.
