In his return to the stage on Saturday, Ed Sheeran addressed his stance on the ‘catastrophic’ Gaza conflict and why he chose not to cancel his ‘Loop’ tour amid ongoing controversy.

Ed Sheeran opened a solo concert Saturday with comments about Gaza after controversy swirled around his tour and supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with opener Macklemore, who was dropped after making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.

Ed Sheeran's Philly concert went on at the Linc on Sept. 19, amid controversy that caused his opening acts and band to drop.

Ed Sheeran altered his Philadelphia Loop Tour show over safety concerns amid fallout from Macklemore’s removal from the tour.

Ed Sheeran's concert Saturday drew heightened attention after a week of statements and fallout following Macklemore's dismissal. Our report.

Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from his Loop Tour on Saturday night, speaking from the stage at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field during his first concert since the rapper was dropped from the trek.

Crooner Ed Sheeran declared he “never wanted to be an activist” and wept as he broke his silence during his first concert since booting rapper Macklemore from his tour for making tirades against Israel.

Ed Sheeran fans trickled into Lincoln Financial on Saturday evening as protesters gathered outside the stadium to denounce Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s “Loop” tour over his pro-Palestinian advocacy.