Ed Sheeran has changed the start time of his upcoming concert in Philadelphia after being left without any opening acts following Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour. The show at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, September 19, was originally scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. to accommodate multiple supporting acts, but will now start at 8 p.m. the time Sheeran’s own set was previously set to begin.
The Ed Sheeran Philadelphia concert change comes after all of his supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour over his “Free Palestine” remarks at a New Jersey show earlier this month. Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, Finneas, and Irish folk band Beoga all backed out of the remaining dates. Sheeran is now listed as the only performer for the Philadelphia show, with no replacement acts announced.
The fallout has extended beyond the stage. Pro-Palestinian groups, including the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z, plan to protest outside Lincoln Financial Field before the show. Ticket resale prices for the concert have dropped significantly, with some tickets selling for as low as $76. Sheeran has publicly stated that Macklemore’s removal was “the promoter’s decision, not mine,” and that he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” . The remaining dates on his Loop Tour are still listed with a 5:30 p.m. start time.
