Ed Sheeran Tour Plunged Into Turmoil After Macklemore Dropped Over Gaza Comments
- Ticket prices and public demonstrations have surged around Ed Sheeran’s ongoing North American tour following the removal of opening act Macklemore, according to recent reports from Variety, CNBC,...
- The removal of Macklemore from the tour has created an immediate ripple effect across the ticket market, particularly for the rapper's separate concert appearances.
- Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy directly during a concert in Philadelphia following protests outside the venue.
Ticket prices and public demonstrations have surged around Ed Sheeran’s ongoing North American tour following the removal of opening act Macklemore, according to recent reports from Variety, CNBC, and other outlets.
Macklemore Ticket Prices Rise Amid Tour Removal
The removal of Macklemore from the tour has created an immediate ripple effect across the ticket market, particularly for the rapper’s separate concert appearances. According to TicketData founder Keith Pagello in a statement to CNBC on Thursday, resale prices for Macklemore’s upcoming October concert at Red Rocks in Colorado have climbed sharply. The get-in price for that performance increased by 45% over a three-day period, rising from $108 to $157.
Ed Sheeran Addresses Tour Controversy in Philadelphia
Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy directly during a concert in Philadelphia following protests outside the venue. In his first show since the tour was plunged into turmoil, Sheeran told the audience that the situation in Gaza is unjustifiable and stated that the controversy put him in the middle, according to USA Today and The Guardian. Protesters gathered outside the venue following the lineup changes, while fans expressed frustration over the removal of opening acts. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Sheeran maintained that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision rather than his own choice. He also defended his decision to avoid political commentary during his performances.
I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won’t ever change,
Ed Sheeran He added that his audience includes children of all backgrounds who do not expect a political forum when attending his concerts.
Supporting Acts Withdraw and Tour Ticket Trends
Following Macklemore’s removal, all other supporting acts on the tour—consisting of Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Lukas Graham—withdrew from the lineup, leaving the promoter searching for replacements. Ticket data indicates that secondary market prices for the remainder of Sheeran’s concerts have dipped slightly across nine of ten venues, though TicketData noted that such price decreases are typical as concert dates approach. However, resale volume has seen an uptick since Monday, with tickets selling at a moderately increased pace compared to earlier stops at the same distance out.
