Ed Sheeran has opened a solo concert in Philadelphia with comments about Gaza, saying what\u2019s happening is \u201ccatastrophic and unjustifiable\u201d, in his first show since the his tour plunged into turmoil.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians\u2019 lives, of children\u2019s lives,\u201d Sheeran said on Saturday, adding that he wanted his music and shows to be about unity and humanity, not politics.<\/p>\n
Outside the stadium a small gathering of chanting protesters greeted concertgoers, waving Palestinian flags and chanting \u201cFree, free Palestine\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sheeran\u2019s US Loop Tour has been embroiled in crisis since the rapper Macklemore was removed<\/a> as opening act on Monday, after the owners of stadiums hosting coming shows objected to his shouting \u201cFree Palestine\u201d on stage in New Jersey earlier this month.<\/p>\n Sheeran, 35, has denied being behind the decision to remove Macklemore<\/a>, instead blaming the tour promoter.<\/p>\n Four supporting acts subsequently withdrew<\/a> from the tour, issuing public statements citing their support for Palestinians.<\/p>\n Demonstrators protest outside an Ed Sheeran concert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photograph: Joe Lamberti\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Sheeran has been accused by critics of failing to stand up to the stadium owners \u2013 led by billionaire businessman Robert Kraft \u2013 and was targeted by boycott calls.<\/p>\n Speaking on stage at the beginning of the concert on Saturday, he said: \u201cI\u2019ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes and I\u2019m so, so sorry for them.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to disappoint fans, and I\u2019ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n