Ed Sheeran has changed the start time of his Philadelphia concert after all of the opening acts scheduled for his Loop Tour withdrew following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the tour.

Sheeran’s concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 19, was originally scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. The show has now been pushed back to 8 p.m., the time Sheeran had originally been expected to take the stage following his opening performers, according to Page Six.

The change comes after Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga all announced that they would no longer participate in the tour. The artists withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during his performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month.

No replacement opening acts have been announced for Saturday’s Philadelphia concert. Other remaining North American dates were still scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at the time of the report.

Macklemore’s Removal From the Tour

Macklemore had been scheduled to perform as an opening act for Sheeran’s North American stadium tour. During a Sept. 5 performance at MetLife Stadium, the rapper shouted “Free Palestine” and performed his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall.”

The song was named after Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza.

Macklemore subsequently said he had been removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour. In a statement shared on Instagram, he claimed that Sheeran and his team had made the decision.

Macklemore also said Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group operates Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, had said that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform there.

Kraft later said that the decision to cancel Macklemore was connected to the rapper’s recent comments and what Kraft described as “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”

Macklemore has argued that criticism of the Israeli government should not be conflated with antisemitism.

Sheeran Says Promoters Made the Decision

Sheeran has disputed Macklemore’s account that he personally decided to remove him from the tour.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Sheeran said: “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.”

He added that he would not abandon his fans, touring crew or other musicians who depended on the tour for their work.

Sheeran also said he had spoken with venues in an effort to resolve the situation.

“I spoke with the venues at length all week to try to build a bridge,” he wrote, but said that “the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.”

Sheeran said he had personal views about the conflict in Gaza but did not intend to turn his concerts into political forums.

“I am not complicit,” he wrote.

He also said: “I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”

Four Supporting Acts Withdraw

The withdrawal of the supporting performers followed Sheeran’s explanation that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision.

Finneas announced that he would no longer participate in the tour, writing: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. … I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Aaron Rowe and Beoga, both Irish acts, also withdrew. Beoga had been performing several songs with Sheeran during the middle of his concerts, including songs the group had co-written.

Lukas Graham, which had been scheduled to replace Macklemore on some of the remaining U.S. dates, also pulled out.

The group described its decision as difficult and wrote: “Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.”

Backlash From Sheeran’s Cousin

The controversy has also drawn criticism from Sheeran’s cousin, Jethro Sheeran.

Jethro criticized the singer on Instagram, describing him as “selfish” and “malicious” while accusing him of putting his own interests ahead of others.

“He puts out [a] fake narrative that’s calculated just to keep everyone happy so he can do big, private gigs and keep brand deals, etc. I agree with all of the comments he’s [gotten] and [the] bad press,” Jethro wrote, according to Page Six.

These statements represent Jethro Sheeran’s personal criticism and are not an independent finding about Ed Sheeran’s motives.

Fans Ask for Refunds

The dispute has also led some fans to demand refunds for tickets to Sheeran’s concerts.

Some ticket holders have argued that they should be able to return their tickets following Macklemore’s removal and the subsequent departure of the other opening acts.

Sheeran’s tour is scheduled to continue in North America, with upcoming stadium performances including stops at Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

For the Philadelphia concert, however, the immediate change is that Sheeran is now expected to take the stage at 8 p.m. rather than the previously scheduled 5:30 p.m. start, following the withdrawal of all the announced opening acts.