{
  "id": 8427012,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran continues US tour amid Palestinian controversy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ed-sheeran-continues-us-tour-amid-palestinian-controversy-8427012",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T09:14:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/ed-sheeran-continues-us-tour-amid-palestinian-controversy/a-79336537?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran's US tour proceeds despite controversy surrounding a fellow performer's pro-Palestinian remarks. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are anticipated to congregate in Philadelphia on Saturday, the day of Sheeran's inaugural performance since the controversy. The UK singer-songwriter, a globally renowned artist, refuted allegations of his involvement in dropping rapper Macklemore from the lineup, attributing the decision to the tour promoter. Earlier this month, Macklemore made pro-Palestinian statements during Sheeran's US Loop Tour introduction in New Jersey, a move that drew harsh criticism from some American supporters of Israel. This backlash resulted in Macklemore's removal from the tour and prompted several support acts to withdraw from participation. To address the situation, Sheeran released a statement expressing his disapproval of the Israel-Palestine conflict and emphasizing his personal stance on the matter, while maintaining that he has no public platform to voice these opinions. Additionally, Sheeran cited a prominent American business figure, Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, as one of the individuals advocating for Macklemore's exclusion from the tour. For Saturday's show, local organizers have organized a pro-Palestinian rally in the vicinity of the concert venue, with authorities promising a robust police presence to ensure public safety.",
  "summary": "Ed Sheeran's US tour is continuing amid controversy surrounding his decision to drop US rapper Macklemore from the lineup. Macklemore was removed after expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments during a performance in New Jersey, shouting \"Free Palestine\".\n\nPro-Palestinian protests are expected at Sheeran's upcoming show in Philadelphia. According to DW News, Sheeran has denied responsibility for dropping Macklemore, stating that the promoter made the decision.\n\nSheeran has since released a statement expressing his dismay at the conflict between Israel and Palestine, while also laying out his apolitical stance on the matter. Irish folk band Beoga, who were a supporting act, quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, stating they \"fully supported\" his message.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran continues US tour amid Palestinian controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ed-sheeran-continues-us-tour-amid-palestinian-controversy",
        "published": "2026-09-19T09:14:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Fly FM pulls Ed Sheeran songs from playlist amid Macklemore row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/fly-fm-pulls-ed-sheeran-songs-from-playlist-amid-macklemore-row",
        "published": "2026-09-19T09:46:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran Continues US Tour Amid Palestinian Controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ed-sheeran-continues-us-tour-amid-palestinian-controversy-8447505",
        "published": "2026-09-19T11:26:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}