// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
Everything we know about the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy
"I cannot hide how I feel anymore": Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore row at show
British singer Ed Sheeran has performed his first show since facing backlash over a controversial decision to drop rapper Macklemore from his tour.
The decision - which Sheeran said was made by his promoter, not by himself - stemmed from pro-Palestinian comments Macklemore made on stage earlier this month.
Sheeran addressed the controversy and spoke for nearly four minutes at the start of his set in Philadelphia on Saturday, saying he had made "mistakes" handling the fallout.
"I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore."
Sheeran described the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks as "horrific", and also called the situation in Gaza "unjustifiable" in his first in-person remarks on the matter since the controversy erupted.
The ongoing saga from Macklemore's comments and subsequent removal from the tour led Sheeran's support acts to drop out, and fans to express frustration.
Ed Sheeran's tour in 'damage control mode' after Macklemore backlash
While performing as the opening act for Sheeran at a concert in early September in New Jersey, Macklemore said: "A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine."
The Thrift Shop rapper then performed a song dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University. The lyrics are critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.