Ed Sheeran Says Security Concerns Caused Him to Change Stage Setup in Philadelphia

Ed Sheeran revealed on Saturday night that his initial concerns about audience reactions led him to alter his stage setup during his first performance in Philadelphia following a tour fallout with Macklemore. He openly admitted to being apprehensive about potential objects being thrown at him, which prompted him to remove the B-stage, usually situated in the middle of the audience.

The singer also took the initiative to construct a new live band on notice after the withdrawal of Beoga from the tour, in support of Macklemore. Sheeran collaborated with his longtime collaborator, Alicia Enstrom, who managed to assemble a group of musicians who agreed to join him on stage despite the anticipation of negative reactions from the audience.

These musicians had only three days to learn the songs, which Sheeran emphasized in his gratitude towards them. This performance marked Sheeran's return to the stage after Macklemore was removed as the support act from the tour. During his set, Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding the tour, the issue of venues potentially limiting artists' freedom of speech, and his own perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict.