Ed Sheeran is marking the conclusion of the United States leg of his Loop Tour following controversy with his support acts.
“Thank you Tampa, that’s the end of the North American stadium tour,” Sheeran, 35, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, November 8, sharing footage from his Florida concert the night before. “See you soon Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.”
In the footage, the Grammy winner took a bow in front of thousands of cheering fans.
Sheeran’s Loop Tour has been embroiled in scandal after opening act Macklemore was dismissed by the touring company for chanting “Free Palestine” at two September concerts in New Jersey. Several of Sheeran’s opening acts, including Finneas and Lukas Graham, left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, as did the “Thinking Out Loud” crooner’s backing band.
Sheeran denied personally firing Macklemore, 43, from the roster as he tried to distance himself from the political commentary surrounding the scandal.
“I’m used to my music being criticized, and I’m always happy to take that because I’m lucky. A lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I’m surprised. I’m not surprised that I’ve even done it. You know, it’s normal,” Sheeran said during his September 19 show, addressing the backlash. “This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry.”
The British performance further stressed that he never wants to “disappoint fans” but hasn’t thought of himself as an activist.
“This has put me in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech on the most complex issue on the planet,” Sheeran continued. “[My music] has always been a safe space for everyone. That matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely essential to who I am. That is why I’m here tonight — on my own — continuing my own tour.”
Sheeran continued his Loop Tour as scheduled, enlisting a new backing band and support acts.
“I just want to say before they come onstage, they said yes to being onstage with the knowledge that the world thought I was a certain type of person,” he said in September of his new band. “They said yes with the knowledge that the world may hate them too for standing on stage with me, and I am so grateful for them being here tonight and standing on stage with me in front of you guys.”
Macklemore, for his part, has pledged to keep advocating for the Palestinian cause and performed three European benefit concerts last month. He is hoping to bring the shows across the pond but has yet to find venues to host the shows.
