Ed Sheeran concert chaos as pro-Palestine protesters swarm outside venue ahead of embattled star’s first show since Macklemore tour fallout
Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert was bombarded by protestors on Saturday night as he prepared to take the stage.
The 35-year-old music act’s concert at Lincoln Financial Field is his first gig since Macklemore was axed from the remainder of his LOOP Tour on Monday.
A protestor yelled, ‘F*** your concert, f*** your fans. Palestine is our demand,’ in a video captured by FreedomNews, per TMZ.
According to the outlet, there were also dozens of activists who chanted, ‘Free Palestine,’ at a nearby subway stop.
One protestor wore a ‘Make America Great’-style red baseball cap with the phrase, ‘Make Palestine Free Again,’ emblazoned on the front.
In anticipation of the show, groups Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down DZ wrote online, ‘Billionaires, Zionists Warmongers out of Philly.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Sheeran for comment.
Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert was bombarded by protestors on Saturday night as he prepared to take the stage; pictured in January
A protestor yelled, ‘F*** your concert, f*** your fans. Palestine is our demand,’ in a video captured by FreedomNews
Two signs held by a protestor called out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the phrases ‘Netanyahu has blood on his hands’ and ‘Let Gaza live.’
Sheeran saw a mass exodus from opening acts after Macklemore was criticized for speaking on the Israel-Palestine conflict at a recent concert.
Openers who dropped out of Sheeran’s tour have received support from actress Melissa Barrera.
Barrera, 36, was fired from the Scream franchise nearly three years ago for her pro-Palestinian stance, and she’s since reacted to the changing political climate.
The actress said it made her ’emotional’ to see entertainers bow out of the tour in support of Macklemore, who was ousted over ‘free Palestine’ remarks he made during his MetLife Stadium set in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.
‘It was so beautiful to see Finneas and the band and all the opening acts pulling out in support of Macklemore. It made me emotional,’ Barrera told the Associated Press this week.
She added, ‘You know, I didn’t get that when it happened to me. I didn’t have any of that happen. It was too soon. People were too scared. But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed.’
Sheeran’s tour has suffered a blow at the box office, with the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s political comments taking a toll on ticket sales.
One protestor wore a ‘Make America Great’-style red baseball cap with the phrase, ‘Make Palestine Free Again,’ emblazoned on the front
The 35-year-old music act’s concert at Lincoln Financial Field is his first gig since Macklemore was axed from the remainder of his LOOP Tour on Monday; pictured in 2013
Two signs held by a protestor called out Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the phrases ‘Netanyahu has blood on his hands’ and ‘Let Gaza live’
‘If this is your land, why do you destroy all life on it?’ asked one sign
In anticipation of the show, groups Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down DZ wrote online, ‘Billionaires, Zionists Warmongers out of Philly’
Demonstrators seen gathering outside stadium with video equipment and signs
Hours before showtime, hundreds of tickets were still available for purchase from $51 to $234 in the main seating levels, according to StubHub.
Scores of tickets remained up for grabs in the pit, located directly in front of the stage, from $229 to $298.
Following his onstage speech at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore shared on Instagram that Sheeran later told him that Robert Kraft – who owns Gillette Stadium through his holding company, the Kraft Group – called him.
‘Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,’ he wrote.
Macklemore admitted that his friend ‘was in a f***** up position. He knew it.’
The Can’t Hold Us rapper added: ‘I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.’
Openers who dropped out of Sheeran’s tour have received support from actress Melissa Barrera; seen in June
Barrera, 36, was fired from the Scream franchise nearly three years ago for her pro-Palestinian stance
Finneas, who is the brother of singer Billie Eilish, was the highest profile opener to quit Sheeran’s tour amid the backlash
Finneas issued an Instagram statement, where he vowed to ‘stand with Palestine an its people’
Sheeran has faced criticism from other singers and musicians including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who bashed him on social media for not taking a strong stand against the decision.
Billie Eilish’s brother, Finneas, pulled out of his scheduled appearances in upcoming tour dates, stating that ‘artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.’
Tour openers including Aaron Rowe and the band Lukas Graham, along with Sheeran’s long-time backing folk band Beoga, also withdrew from the endeavor.
On Tuesday, Sheeran released his own statement on Instagram, saying it wasn’t his decision to remove Macklemore from the tour, but rather the promoters’.
‘I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,’ the British singer-songwriter added.