Ed Sheeran Plays Philadelphia Show Despite 3 Opener Exits as Protests Follow Macklemore Row
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 19
Ed Sheeran Plays Philadelphia Show Despite 3 Opener Exits as Protests Follow Macklemore Row
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 19
Summary
Philadelphia's concert went ahead Saturday even after a delayed start, no tour band and the loss of all three opening acts tied to the Macklemore dispute.
Macklemore said he was removed after venue owners warned Sheeran they would not host shows if the rapper stayed on the tour following his "Free Palestine" speech at MetLife Stadium.
4:30 p.m. protests organized by the Philly Palestine Coalition unfolded near NRG station as fans still streamed into Lincoln Financial Field.
Fans including 15-year-old Ava Felty and 64-year-old Earl McCleerey said they knew about the controversy but attended anyway, underscoring that boycott calls had not emptied the show.