Ed Sheeran to perform for 1st time since Macklemore dropped from tour, other acts withdrew
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acts → perform → tour
Singer-songwriter hasn't commented publicly since facing backlash for response to Macklemore's removal
Ed Sheeran is set to take the stage in Philadelphia on Saturday night for the first time since facing backlash for rapper Macklemore's removal from his tour for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage.
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Sheeran → comment → stage
All of Sheeran's remaining supporting acts and backing band have quit his tour after Macklemore was ousted earlier this week and Sheeran attributed Macklemore's removal solely to venues and promoters while defending his decision to remain apolitical.
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Sheeran → remain → decision
Sheeran has not said anything publicly since losing the artists' support.
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Sheeran → say → support
However, Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, who allegedly led efforts to remove Macklemore as Sheeran's opening act, said Wednesday he is now donating $2 million US to "aid in the region" at the singer-songwriter's request.
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he → lead → request
As of Friday, tickets were still available for Saturday's show, and Sheeran's website did not list any replacement acts.
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website → list → acts
A coalition of pro-Palestinian organizations plans to protest outside the show Saturday afternoon.
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coalition → plan → show
Macklemore was dropped from the U.S. leg of the English singer-songwriter's tour after chanting "Free Palestine" and expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank during a Sept. 5 show in New Jersey.
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Macklemore → drop → Jersey
Sheeran said venues had threatened to pull his upcoming performances if Macklemore was not removed as his opening act because of "how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance."
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Macklemore → say → performance
"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine.
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it → come → tour
Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me," Sheeran said in his statement.
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Sheeran → say → statement
He added that while he tried to "build a bridge," the venues would not change their minds.
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venues → add → minds
Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots, was one of the people behind the call for Macklemore's removal, Sheeran confirmed.
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Sheeran → own → removal
Kraft, a staunch supporter of Israel, said in a statement shared with CBC News Monday that his stadium would "not provide a platform for hate speech," stating Macklemore spread divisiveness through "selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas."
Macklemore had blamed his removal on Kraft in an Instagram post, claiming the billionaire said the rapper would not be allowed onstage and rallied other stadium owners to threaten to cancel scheduled concerts if he was not taken off the bill.
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he → say → bill
The threats placed Sheeran, his friend, in a difficult position, Macklemore said.
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Macklemore → place → position
Sheeran takes apolitical stance
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Sheeran → take → stance
Many of Sheeran's supporting acts said they were withdrawing from his tour to stand in solidarity with Palestinians.
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they → support → Palestinians
In his statement, Sheeran said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine," and called the suffering on "both sides" a "human tragedy."
But he defended his choice not to express his views on the conflict publicly.
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he → say → conflict
I have my personal views on this devastating conflict," he wrote.
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he → have → 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."
Ms. Rachel pledges $1M US in Palestinian aid to match Macklemore's donation following Sheeran tour exit
Remaining supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour amid backlash over Macklemore ousting
While promoters and venues wield great power over concert tours, experts say an artist of Sheeran's magnitude generally has the final say about what happens concerning the shows.
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what → choose → shows
It remains to be seen how Sheeran will handle the performance at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field given the departure of his opening acts and supporting band.
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Sheeran → remain → acts
Sheeran has performed much of his Loop Tour concerts solo, but he had been joined for several songs at each stop by the Irish folk band Beoga.
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he → perform → band
Sheeran's other U.S. openers, Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe, also annouced they were leaving the tour.
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they → annouce → tour
Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year before he too dropped out earlier this week.
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he → tour → America
The Aporia
