Ed Sheeran to return to stage amid Palestinian controversy

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APA MLA Chicago

Day, L. (2026, September 19). Ed Sheeran to return to stage amid Palestinian controversy. ABC News (AU). https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-20/ed-sheeran-returns-to-stage-amid-protests-in-philadelphia/107173438

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

Quick Summary

Pop star Ed Sheeran is set to resume his Shape of You world tour after a controversy caused four supporting artists to drop out. The issue arose when rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour following objections by stadium owners due to his pro-Palestinian comments during a performance. As a result, other backing acts quit in solidarity. Protests against Sheeran are expected outside his upcoming show in Philadelphia.

Written by AI on 2026-09-20, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after making pro-Palestinian comments at concerts. The rapper was removed following his chants of “Free Palestine” and criticism of Israel's actions as apartheid and genocide during performances in New Jersey. Promoters for the tour, Messina Touring Group, confirmed they received notifications from American venues that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform, potentially resulting in tour cancellation. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium where Sheeran was scheduled to play, reportedly pressured Sheeran over Macklemore’s involvement. In response, Charlotte Church criticized Ed Sheeran during a concert for prioritizing profits over addressing the Gaza conflict.

Written for “Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 120 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour

Entertainment · 121 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

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This article reads centre and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

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The Independent

⚖️ Leans left further left than this Hedges 0 of 38 claims Outlet record 59/100

Ed Sheeran forced to make major concert change after openers drop out amid Macklemore drama Same event

New York Post

Hedges 1 of 15 claims Outlet record 66/100

Ed Sheeran concert set to go ahead after outcry over Gaza Same event

Al Jazeera

Hedges 1 of 24 claims Outlet record 60/100

Ed Sheeran admits ‘mistakes’ at first concert since Macklemore tour row Same event

Evening Standard

Hedges 0 of 32 claims Outlet record 64/100

Ed Sheeran breaks down in tears as he returns to the stage for first show after Macklemore controversy: ‘I’m so, so sorry’ Same event

New York Post

Hedges 1 of 46 claims Outlet record 66/100

Ed Sheeran admits ‘mistakes’ at first concert since Macklemore tour row Same event

Evening Standard

Hedges 0 of 36 claims Outlet record 64/100

Ed Sheeran says he contemplated quitting as an artist at first concert since Macklemore crisis engulfed tour Same event

Evening Standard

Hedges 0 of 31 claims Outlet record 64/100

Artists touring with Ed Sheeran quit over rapper’s removal amid Palestine row Different event

Evening Standard

Hedges 0 of 13 claims Outlet record 64/100

“While both articles discuss the controversy involving Ed Sheeran's tour and supporting acts quitting, they describe different time periods and outcomes. Article A focuses on artists withdrawing in response to Macklemore's removal, while Article B mentions Sheeran returning to stage after the controversy.”

Which artist has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s American tour? Take the Brisbane Times Quiz Different event

The Sydney Morning Herald

Hedges 0 of 2 claims Outlet record 61/100

“Article A mentions an artist being dropped from Ed Sheeran's American tour but does not specify any names or details about Palestinian controversy, while Article B specifically discusses Macklemore's removal due to pro-Palestinian comments.”

Ed Sheeran set to return to stage for 1st time since Macklemore was cut, other acts withdrew Same event

New York Post

Hedges 1 of 16 claims Outlet record 66/100

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0 of 4 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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67/100

ABC News (AU)'s corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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121

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Who wrote this

Lauren Day

3 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 You may know Robert F Kennedy Jr as the scion of America's most storied Democratic dynasty or perhaps you think of him as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services who once claimed to have a parasitic brain worm.

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🔮 Pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered outside the Philadelphia stadium where Sheeran will perform.

2026-09-19 · assertive framing · Ed Sheeran to return to stage amid Palestinian controversy

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Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

Narrative

Claims (4 extracted, 0 hedged)

Ed Sheeran to return to stage amid Palestinian controversy asserted

Sheeran → return → controversy

In short: Pop superstar Ed Sheeran is returning to the stage after he became embroiled in a controversy that saw four supporting acts quit his Shape of You tour. asserted

acts → return → tour

Rapper Macklemore was dropped from the tour after owners of stadiums hosting upcoming shows objected to his pro-Palestinian comments on stage, prompting other supporting acts to quit. asserted

owners → drop → acts

Pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered outside the Philadelphia stadium where Sheeran will perform. asserted

Sheeran → gather → stadium

Ed Sheeran to return to stage amid Palestinian controversy

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