Rapper Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour after stadium owners objected to him shouting "Free Palestine" during a performance in New Jersey. Sheeran stated that the tour promoter was ultimately responsible for the decision to drop the opening act.
The removal has led to further disruptions for the tour, as four other supporting acts have also quit. Consequently, Sheeran may perform solo. Protesters gathered outside Lincoln Financial on Saturday evening to denounce Macklemore's expulsion over his pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Opening his concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran apologized for mistakes and addressed the humanitarian issue in Gaza, which he described as catastrophic and unjustifiable. The British singer-songwriter said his heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and the loss of civilians' and children's lives.