Ed Sheeran has spoken onstage for the first time about the “catastrophic” horrors unfolding in the Middle East after support act Macklemore was booted from the English singer-songwriter’s Loop Tour over calls for a free Palestine.

Sheeran opened his Philadelphia concert with a statement acknowledging the snowballing controversy that has resulted in various artists dropping out of the US tour, and widespread commentary slamming the star.

“This is not usually how I would open the show, but before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s OK if I say a few words about this last week,” Sheeran said on Saturday night.

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“I’m used to my music being criticised, and I’m always happy to take that, because I’m lucky a lot of you like my stuff, and I’m not surprised that other people don’t. It’s normal.

“But this week the criticism was about something much more important.

“I’ve had to make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so, so sorry.

“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.

“My concerts have always been a safe space, for everyone, and that matters hugely to me.

“Honouring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am, and that is why I am here tonight, on my own, and continuing my current tour.

“But I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performers; this happens in so many places that I’ve performed at around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.

“Now, I want to address the issue of where I stand in the situation of Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand.

“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.”

‘My heart is being broken’

Sheeran doubled down on the claims made in his earlier online statement, detailing onstage the devastation in the Middle East which he had previously touched on with more ambiguity.

“What happened in Israel at the music festival on October 7 [2023] was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain,” he said on stage.

“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart is being broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of childrens’ lives.

“The systemic injustice we’re seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”

Sheeran fought back tears as he thanked the crowd for their ongoing support.

“I honestly am so grateful that you’re here tonight with me,” he concluded.

“This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone can stand beside people that have opposing views, and everyone here can stand beside people that they don’t agree with on everything.

“We can all agree on singing these songs. These songs are about hope, love and unity.”

Sheeran’s onstage statement comes days after the star shared similar sentiments on social media.

He clarified that it was not his but the promoter’s decision to kick Macklemore off of the tour, and that he had then tried to build bridges with the venues since the controversy at New Jersey’s MetLife stadium earlier this month.

He similarly acknowledged being “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and noted that he did not wish to make public the full extent of his personal views on the conflict.

Sheeran said that his shows and music were about escapism and that he has other ways of supporting causes.

He has donated $2 million to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, but it is unclear exactly what that money will go toward.

Macklemore, meanwhile, has named six organisations that will receive his $1 million: the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) and the UNRWA USA National Committee.

Read more about Sheeran’s Loop Tour controversy here.