Ed Sheeran fans offered their backing to the singer during his first concert in the US since controversy flared over Macklemore’s ejection from the tour following on-stage remarks about the conflict in Gaza.
Every opening act for the artist’s ongoing The Loop tour confirmed they were pulling out of all remaining dates after the rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, was removed from the bill.
Beoga, Sheeran’s backing band, also declared their withdrawal from the tour, stating on Instagram that they "fully supported" Macklemore’s message.
However, concertgoers arriving at the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium in Philadelphia on Saturday night stated they remained loyal to the English musician.
James Webber IV from Scranton in Pennsylvania said: "I stand with Ed. I think there’s a time for politics and a music concert is not one of those places."
His father, James Webber III, said: “Everything will be fine. In a couple of months this will blow over. He doesn’t deserve this.
“I think he did the right thing, staying true to what he believes and the fans will support him.”
Kassandra Rivera from Philadelphia said: “Everyone has their own opinion and it’s fine.
“I came here to have a good time and watch Ed Sheeran.
“I’ve been waiting a whole year to come and see him, so I’m excited to see the show.”
Dwayne Smith from Canada said: “We’re just here for Ed Sheeran. All politics aside, we just like the music. We are here to support him. It’s not about Palestine or Israel tonight, it’s just about the music for us.”
His wife Mandy added: “He’s an amazing artist and we can’t wait to see the show.”
Tony, who did not wish to give his surname, said: “It’s ridiculous, honestly. It’s just supposed to be a concert. I bought these tickets in December and had no idea all this would happen.”
A small but vocal pro-Palestine protest was held outside the subway station that serves the stadium, several hundred metres from the venue.
The 35-year-old singer began his world tour in Auckland, New Zealand in January.
It is set to wrap up in Mexico City in December, with a total of 16 shows still scheduled across North and South America, after Philadelphia.
Prior to acts walking out, the concert was scheduled to start with the first support act at 5.30pm, with doors opening at 4.30pm and Sheeran on stage at 8pm.
The start time for Saturday’s show was pushed back from 5.30pm local time to 8pm.
Doors opened at 6pm on Saturday.
Other acts who dropped out of Sheeran’s tour include Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Grammy award-winning musician Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother, and Danish singer Lukas Graham.
On Monday, Macklemore posted on Instagram claiming Sheeran and his team had “made the decision to remove” him from the Loop Tour.
During a show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last week, the rapper said he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
Sheeran responded in a statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, saying it was the promoter’s decision to remove the rapper from the tour, not his.
He said “upcoming tour dates had communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting”, and added that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium where he was due to play, was among them.
Sheeran added: “I am not complicit.
“I have my personal views on this devastating conflict.
“Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.
“Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own personal way.”
The Shape Of You singer added he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine”, and added he respected Macklemore “as an artist”.
Rowe defended Sheeran in a video posted to his Instagram account on Friday, and called for more attention to be paid to “the likes of Robert Kraft… the Zionist lobbies that are trying to silence the voices of people who are shouting about genocide, the genocide that is happening in Palestine right now”.
