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Ed Sheeran has taken to the stage in Philadelphia, starting his set with an apology to fans, and speaking out about Gaza and the West Bank.
In case you missed it, the singer received backlash for giving in to pressure by stadium owners including Robert Kraft and removing his opening act, Macklemore, from The Loop tour for saying "Free Palestine" on stage in New Jersey. Ed's remaining support acts withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Palestine, and freedom of speech. Ed's also been heavily criticised for his silence on the genocide in Gaza.
Speaking on stage, here's what Ed had to say:
"Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it's okay if l say a few words about this last week. I'm used to my music being criticised, and I'm always happy to take that because a lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I'm surprised—uh, I'm not surprised that other people don't. You know, it's normal.
But 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.
I don't want to disappoint fans, and I've never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.
My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me.
Honouring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am, and that is why I'm here tonight, on my own, and continuing my current tour. But I am, I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performers. This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.
Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand. I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.
What happened in Israel and at the Nova Music Festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate.
My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians' lives, of children's lives. And the systemic injustice we're seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.
I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening, and learning, because I do not know enough. I honestly am so grateful that you're here tonight with me.
This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views, and everyone here can stand abide people that they don't agree with on everything, but they can all agree on singing these songs. And these songs are about love, hope, and unity."
(Feature Image Credit: via Ed Sheeran (@TeddysPhotos/Instagram)
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