Story perspectives

Ed Sheeran Headlines Philadelphia After Macklemore’s Tour Removal

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Ed Sheeran will headline Saturday's Philadelphia concert after Macklemore was removed from the Loop Tour.
Macklemore was dropped for chanting “Free Palestine” at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 5, 2026.
Several artists—including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga—quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Ticket prices fell 45 percent to $75, and pro-Palestinian groups plan a protest at Lincoln Financial Field.

History

Historical Context

In March 2003, Dixie Chicks vocalist Natalie Maines told a London audience they were ashamed President George W. Bush was from Texas. The comment triggered a boycott that blacklisted the group from thousands of country stations and sent their single “Landslide” from No. 10 to No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 in one week. This backlash foreshadows the swift removal of Macklemore from the 2026 MetLife Stadium show.

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Story summary

Ed Sheeran will headline Saturday's Philadelphia concert after Macklemore was removed from the Loop Tour.
Macklemore was dropped for chanting “Free Palestine” at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 5, 2026.
Several artists—including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga—quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Ticket prices fell 45 percent to $75, and pro-Palestinian groups plan a protest at Lincoln Financial Field.

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