Ed Sheeran Faces Backlash After Macklemore's Removal from Loop Tour

Ed Sheeran returned to his Loop Tour after opening act Macklemore was dropped from the lineup for making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage. "Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words about this last week," Sheeran, 35, told fans during the Saturday, September 19, concert at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, per widely-circulated videos via social media. "I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised. I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal." He went on to say, "This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry."

The singer-songwriter explained that he never wanted to "disappoint fans," adding that he never intended to "be an activist."

"This has put me in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech on the most complex issue on the planet," Sheeran noted. "[My music] has always been a safe space for everyone. That matters hugely to me."