By his own account, Ed Sheeran tried his best to stay out of politics, recently responding to the intense controversy over the removal of Macklemore as a support act by emphasizing that his shows are “a place for everyone to feel welcome” and that he simply wants to “bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together.”
But it’s this purposeful neutrality that’s landed him in the middle of a raging political debate that’s seen all of his support acts and his backing band quit the tour, saying they support Palestine and cannot in good conscience perform with him.
Now, with the next tour dates just days away, it seems Sheeran is set to face a frosty reception in Philadelphia. TMZ is reporting that on Sept. 19 there will be a large protest outside his upcoming show. This is scheduled to take place at the Lincoln Financial Center, where he’ll be met by the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z.
“There is no neutrality against oppression, only complicity”
Their flyer, posted on Instagram, says “Gaza is our compass,” “all eyes on Palestine,” vows “Billionaires, Zionists and Warmongers out of Philly”, and “Ed Sheeran plays at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, his first show after caving to Zionist threats and dropping Macklemore as his opening act.” As of writing, it’s unclear how many people will attend, but the sternly worded post underlines that Sheeran’s gig will see Philadelphians “take to the streets to return the conversation to Palestine, and return Philadelphia to action.”
Sheeran himself said, “I am not complicit”, though his words are being seized on as ammunition against him. “Ed Sheeran kicked Macklemore off his tour in the name of “neutrality” and being “apolitical” and due to threats from stadium owners, including Lincoln Financial Field. There is no neutrality against oppression, only complicity.”
However, this protest is only the tip of a tidal wave of criticism directed towards Sheeran, with the common refrain on social media that he’s “cowardly” and “spineless“. At least one radio station has already removed his music from its playlists “for the foreseeable future,” and his hit ‘Shape of You’ has dropped 12 points on the Spotify chart.
There are also calls for Sheeran to cancel the entire tour. Famed British singer/songwriter Billy Bragg has argued that it’d be best for Sheeran to cut his losses now before things get any worse. Speaking to the NME, Bragg said, “He seems like a nice fella, and he entertains a lot of people. He’s made a great living doing that, [but] this is the sort of issue that could tarnish his career…could make him a pariah of sorts. It will be a shame if that happens.”
He continued, “If I was Ed, I’d swallow my pride, cancel the tour, and say ‘I’m sorry, but I’m not having billionaires decide what can and cannot be said at my gigs’.” It remains to be seen what Sheeran will actually do, though it’s safe to say the mood at his upcoming gigs may be a little more negative than he’d hoped.
Published: Sep 17, 2026 08:39 am