Ed Sheeran concert goes on in Philadelphia, despite controversy

Ed Sheeran concert goes on in Philadelphia, despite controversy. Kaitlyn McCormick USA TODAY NETWORK.

Key points

• The tour fallout began after rapper Macklemore's "Free Palestine" speech while performing with Sheeran at MetLife Stadium.
• Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY's Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.
• Outside the concert entry, 15-year-old Ava Felty remarked that although she was aware of the controversy, she was still excited for the show.
• Macklemore notes stadium owners pressured Ed Sheeran to drop him after his 'Free Palestine' speech.
• In one of the plenty of concert parking lots surrounding Lincoln Financial Field on Sept.

Ed Sheeran concert goes on in Philadelphia, despite controversy. Kaitlyn McCormick USA TODAY NETWORK. Why was Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour?

PHILADELPHIA – Ed Sheeran's Loop tour stop is underway, despite dropped opening acts, a missing tour band and a changed start time.

In one of the plenty of concert parking lots surrounding Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 19, fans and families tailgate to the sound of "Shape of You" coming from an open trunk's speaker. Kids sporting Loop tour merch head to the bathroom before crossing busy streets to the stadium entrance.

Notably, an uninformed eye may not know that this tour has been at the center of social and political debate.

Notably, the tour fallout began after rapper Macklemore's "Free Palestine" speech while performing with Sheeran at MetLife Stadium. The conflict has been incendiary, resulting in upset from fans, celebrities and all of Sheeran's opening acts. 'I'm so, so sorry': Ed Sheeran admits 'mistakes' at Philadelphia concert.

At NRG station, organizers from the Philly Palestine Coalition organized protests beginning at 4: 30 p.m., despite the showtime being pushed back since of the absence of opening acts.

Last week, Macklemore shared that he was dropped from Sheeran's tour after a number of stadium owners provided Sheeran the "ultimatum" that if Macklemore was on the tour, they would not be permitted to play the venue.

According to Sheeran, venue owners threatened to pull demonstrates if Macklemore remained an opener.

"I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge, " Sheeran remarked. "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine." Still, fans indicated up.

"I still wanted to go, because I like concerts, " she remarked, acknowledging that she did see some of the protests surrounding the show. Music, politics, power: Why Macklemore's Ed Sheeran tour dispute is unprecedented.

Earl McCleerey, 64, of Harrisburg, is here for the music. His biggest concern leading up to the show? Hoping it wouldn't be canceled.

"I think it should just be music and enjoy yourself, like I am tonight, " remarked McCleerey, a Spotify top 1% listener of Sheeran's.

Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY's Philadelphia Metro Connect Team. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, ed Sheeran concert goes on in Philadelphia, despite controversy remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.