Singer Ed Sheeran returns to stage after boycott calls, Palestine row - Punch Newspapers
Ed Sheeran performs onstage during iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2025. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio/File | CNN
Protesters and police were expected to greet concertgoers in Philadelphia on Saturday for pop superstar Ed Sheeran’s first show since he became embroiled in controversy set off by his opening act’s pro-Palestinian comments. Rapper Macklemore was booted from Sheeran’s US Loop Tour on Monday after the owners of stadiums hosting upcoming shows objected to his shouting “Free Palestine” onstage in New Jersey earlier this month. Sheeran has denied being behind the decision to remove Macklemore, saying his tour’s promoter was responsible. But four supporting acts soon quit the “Shape of You” singer’s tour. They included Sheeran’s backing band as well as performer Finneas, who rose to fame collaborating with his pop superstar sister Billie Eilish. At a time when a growing number of artists are speaking out against the conflict in Gaza and West Bank settler violence, the 35-year-old British performer has maintained his apolitical stance.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care,” he said on Instagram on Tuesday. However, he said, “those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.” The former busker-turned-superstar, accused by critics of failing to stand up to the stadium owners, has been targeted by boycott calls over the controversy. “Clearly, there’s some real discontent around how this whole situation is being managed, and he’s definitely having to do some brand reputation management,” said Gretchen Larsen, a professor specializing in the music industry at Durham University Business School in the UK. NFL fines player $11,941 for honouring slain five-year-old Palestinian girl US to approve $2.8bn arms deal for Israel — Reports Foundation distributes writing materials to Niger vulnerable pupils – Solo show? – No new opening acts or backing bands have been announced, and it was not known how Sheeran planned to carry out his show at Lincoln Financial Field in the eastern US city of Philadelphia on Saturday night. A pro-Palestinian rally organized by local groups was scheduled to take place near the venue in the afternoon. City police told AFP there would be an “appropriate police presence” to “help ensure the safety of concertgoers, employees and neighborhood residents.” On the resale market, tickets for the show have been changing hands at a slightly brisker pace since Monday when compared to previous dates on Sheeran’s tour, according to tracking site TicketData. “Some share of the audience isn’t tuned in to anything political, or is completely indifferent to it, and has only just now become aware that Ed Sheeran is even playing their city. They’re buying tickets with zero connection to the controversy,” site founder Keith Pagello said. The price of the cheapest tickets had fallen from $123 on Monday to $67 by Friday afternoon. Pagello said the decline was not necessarily linked to the row, as it is common for concert ticket prices to drop as the event date approaches. AFP Tosin Oyediran Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!
Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.
