Ed Sheeran Prepares for Solo Show After Opening Acts Walk Out

Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field is set to host Ed Sheeran this Saturday, but the atmosphere is anything but routine. Within hours of the singer’s public comment that he wasn’t responsible for the removal of Macklemore, every act that was slated to open or support him announced they were stepping back.

Macklemore, who had been the U.S. opener for Sheeran’s Loop Tour, was cut after shouting “Free Palestine” during a September 5 show in New Jersey. The decision, reportedly pushed by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft—whose company owns the stadium—triggered a rapid chain reaction.

First came the Irish folk group Beoga, who usually join Sheeran for a handful of songs each night. Then Danish pop‑rock outfit Lukas Graham and Irish singer‑songwriter Aaron Rowe, both slated to fill Macklemore’s slot, pulled out. Even Finneas, the Grammy‑winning brother of Billie Eilish and a planned collaborator for Sheeran’s South American leg, announced his withdrawal earlier this week.

What does that leave for Saturday? Sheeran has a history of playing solo with just his looping pedal, so a one‑man show isn’t impossible. Still, fans who bought tickets expecting a full‑band experience are now left wondering how the set will unfold.

The singer has remained tight‑lipped, offering no fresh statements since the fallout began. His website still lists the Saturday date, and no replacement acts have been posted. Meanwhile, a coalition of pro‑Palestinian groups has organized a protest outside the venue for the afternoon, adding another layer of tension.

In the midst of the controversy, both Sheeran and Kraft have pledged money to relief efforts—$2 million each, according to a spokesperson—though neither has specified how the funds will be allocated. Macklemore, for his part, announced a $1 million donation to Palestinian aid and urged Kraft to match it.

Despite the drama, the numbers behind Sheeran’s Loop Tour remain impressive. Pollstar reported in May that the tour was the highest‑grossing worldwide, pulling in over $7 million per city on average, and that Sheeran ranked as the third‑most‑earning concert act through the end of 2025.

Industry insiders note that while promoters and venue owners wield considerable power, an artist of Sheeran’s stature usually retains final say over his shows. Sheeran has repeatedly said he wants his concerts to be a refuge from the world’s conflicts, insisting fans came to hear music, not political debate.

All eyes will be on Saturday’s performance to see whether the singer opts for a stripped‑down solo set, summons last‑minute guests, or perhaps surprises the crowd in some other way. Whatever the outcome, it will be a night that many will remember—not just for the songs, but for the very circumstances that brought them to the stage.