Ed Sheeran pushed his Philadelphia concert back to 8 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field as the tour lost all opening acts following Macklemore’s removal over pro-Palestinian remarks. Protesters plan a rally outside the venue, while ticket resale prices have dropped significantly ahead of Saturday’s event.
Ed Sheeran returns to the stage for his first U.S. concert since his Loop Tour lost its remaining support acts. Ticketmaster changed the listed start time for Saturday’s show at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The revised schedule removes the two-and-a-half-hour window originally reserved for supporting performers before Sheeran’s headlining set.
The Tour Dispute and Support Act Departures
The scheduling shift follows a turbulent week that dismantled the tour’s entire supporting lineup. The controversy began during the Loop Tour’s Sept. 4 and 5 stop at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where rapper Macklemore used his opening set to voice support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, lead chants of Free Palestine
, and perform his 2024 protest anthem Hind’s Hall
.
Days later, Messina Touring Group informed Rolling Stone that venues on upcoming U.S. dates had refused to allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the bill. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, separately confirmed he barred Macklemore from performing there over stage material he characterized as hurtful to the Jewish community. Macklemore has rejected accusations that his advocacy is antisemitic.
Following Macklemore’s removal, every other opening act withdrew in solidarity. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish group Beoga all pulled out of their scheduled appearances. Sheeran addressed the fallout on Sept. 15.
Sheeran stated that he spent days talking with venue operators, promoters, and activists while trying to resolve the dispute, maintaining that he respects Macklemore’s right to speak publicly while keeping his own concerts free of political forums.
Pro-Palestinian Protests and Stadium Logistics
Local advocacy groups organized demonstrations outside the stadium despite the revised concert schedule. The Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z scheduled a rally at NRG Station at 4:30 p.m. to return the conversation to Palestine, and return Philadelphia to action.
Protest organizers acknowledged the concert time change in an Instagram update but confirmed they would not be changing the start time of our rally. Philadelphia police adjusted staffing for the demonstration, while SEPTA deployed additional Broad Street Line express trains and transit police to manage crowds at NRG Station.
Resale Market Impact and Fan Reactions
The lineup changes and protests coincided with a sharp drop in ticket resale prices.
While Ticketmaster and event organizers offered no blanket refund policy, citing Messina Touring Group’s control over ticket terms, some ticket holders faced difficult choices. Caitlin Smith, a concertgoer who planned to attend with her husband using power wheelchairs, decided to stay home due to uncertainty surrounding the protests, altered schedule, and security concerns.
Because of everything being so unsure, it kinda sucks.
Caitlin Smith, concert ticket holder via 6abc
Humanitarian Aid Commitments Amid the Fallout
Amid the ongoing tour disputes, stadium ownership announced direct financial contributions toward the humanitarian crisis. Kraft stated that he and Sheeran would be donating $4 million to aid the region. The owner of Gillette Stadium reported that the decision preceded Macklemore’s public challenge for Kraft to match his own $1 million donation to Palestinian relief organizations.
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