Ed Sheeran enlists 'small army' for latest gig after Macklemore controversy

Ed Sheeran has beefed up security for his next concert - days after Macklemore was dropped from his tour over a “Free Palestine” speech and the four other opening acts quit.

The singer, 35, has faced much scrutiny for continuing with his LOOP tour, which has seen a huge drop in ticket prices, despite his good friend Macklemore being axed.

Sheeran is set to perform at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, where pro-Palestine protests are planned to take place.

Philadelphia police confirmed there will be a “sizeable” police presence at the stadium to ensure his safety, telling TMZ: “Our officers are talking to his team to make sure all appropriate measures are taken.”

Police will monitor the concert and make the necessary adjustments based on public safety needs, a spokesperson told the outlet.

Ed Sheeran has drastically stepped up security for his next gig

PA Archive

The plan is to have a small “army” of law enforcement inside and out of the stadium, while attendees will have to go through metal detectors and some will be patted down.

There have been no threats made against Sheeran as of yet, but things could change before Saturday night, police said.

He then launched into protest song Hind’s Hall, which condemns Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and was dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University. Images of the devastation in Gaza were shown whilst he performed.

Macklemore told the crowd that a large reason why he signed on to the tour was for the opportunity to speak on the ongoing conflict.

Macklemore was dropped from the tour over his ‘Free Palestine’ speech

PA Archive

“So I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.

“I said, ‘Free Palestine!’ I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them.”

The following day, at his second appearance at the MetLife Stadium, he reiterated his previous message with a direct address to Jewish members in the audience.

“Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,” he said.

Shortly after his remarks, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition asking Sheeran and his management to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates.

It claimed that the US rapper had used the platform of a global concert to “advance a one-sided political agenda”.

“This was an Ed Sheeran concert – not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event.”

Meanwhile, Macklemore took to social media to share footage of him declaring “Free Palestine”, while also explaining that his criticisms are not directed at Jewish people.

In a caption, he wrote: “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.”

On Monday, September 14, Macklemore announced that he would no longer be playing the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour.

In a lengthy statement on Instagram, the 43-year-old said that despite his long-standing friendship with Sheeran, “it can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened”.

Macklemore said that billionaire Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft had organised the boycott, rallying other stadium owners who ultimately gave Sheeran the ultimatum: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues”.

“Ed was in a f***** up position,” the rapper wrote. “He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it had never been before.”

Macklemore’s statement was met with waves of support online, with celebrities such as Pink Panthress, Zara Larson, and Kelahni commenting praise under the post.

The following day, Sheeran issued a statement of his own, where he confirmed that Kraft had issued an ultimatum.

“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.”

He said his audiences often include children and young people “from all backgrounds”, which is why he does not use the stage for politics.

It didn’t take long for Sheeran’s other acts to drop out of the tour, as they expressed their solidarity with Macklemore, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga.

“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom,” Macklemore wrote on Instagram.