Ed Sheeran apologizes for mistakes and criticizes venue control of performance content
Ed SheeranMusician and headliner of the Loop Tour
Before his September 19 concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran acknowledged making mistakes while handling the week's controversy and apologized. He criticized the idea of venues pre-approving performance content while explaining that he would continue the tour to honor his commitments to fans.
“I am making mistakes" ... "it should never happen in the free world”
Original post
Reporting
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour
At two Ed Sheeran concerts at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine, accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, and said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people. After venue objections, tour promoter Messina Touring Group said he would not perform the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates. Critics characterized the performance as hostile or inappropriate; Macklemore defended it as a call for equal treatment.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Sheeran's own account posted this video of his remarks at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 19, 2026. He discusses mistakes, venue control over performance content, his decision to continue the tour, and the humanitarian situation in Israel and Palestine. The account is linked from his official website. The reel was posted at 9:25 p.m. Eastern on September 19; written quotations are corroborated by the published transcript and reporting linked to the statement.
Reporting
About this source
Fox News publishes a transcript of Sheeran's remarks before the September 19 Philadelphia concert, alongside its video and photographs. The speech discusses mistakes, commitments to fans, venue control of performance content, and Israel and Palestine. This transcript supplies the short acknowledgment quoted in the statement; the venue-approval criticism is also reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
Local reporting from Sheeran's September 19 concert at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia. The article describes his address and the concert setting, quotes his criticism of venue pre-approval of performance content, and reports his concluding appeal to an audience with differing views.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The remarks followed Macklemore's removal from the remaining U.S. tour dates and withdrawals by other supporting musicians. In his September 15 statement, Sheeran attributed the removal decision to the promoter and venues and said he had tried to keep Macklemore on the tour. He opened the Philadelphia address by referring to the week's criticism and difficult decisions.
After the quotation
Sheeran went on to call the October 7 attack horrific and describe the situation in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable. He said he was speaking with people about a contribution to help victims, and listening and learning. He closed by saying that people with differing views were welcome at the concert.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to Macklemore's MetLife speech and removal from the tour, Sheeran criticizes venue control over performers' content, saying such pre-approval should never happen in the free world. The classification records that criticism within the removal dispute. It does not treat the remarks as an express condemnation of Macklemore's speech or a claim that the removal itself was his mistake. Continuing to perform does not expressly endorse venue control, so it does not require a mixed classification.
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More from this case
Read the full caseMacklemore says the "billionaire class" should not decide "which voices are allowed on stage"
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention. So we're going on tour. All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement.”Read statement
Jewish Voice for Peace says the backlash to Macklemore's removal shows support for pro-Palestine speech
Jewish Voice for Peace
“Two years into Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestine organizing, the backlash against Sheeran shows how little patience Americans have for attacks on pro-Palestine speech. It also demonstrates the shift toward support for Palestinian rights among everyday Americans that our movements have helped propel.”Read statement
Macklemore announces "Free Palestine Tour" after removal from U.S. dates
“To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”Read statement
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- Ed Sheeran apologizes for mistakes and criticizes venue control of performance content
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The Dispute Index. "Ed Sheeran apologizes for mistakes and criticizes venue control of performance content". First published: 2026-09-20. Last updated: 2026-09-20. https://disputeindex.com/events/1228-before-his-september-19-concert-in-philadelphia-sheeran