Fans back Sheeran at first concert since Macklemore row

Ed Sheeran fans have rallied around the singer at his first US concert since controversy erupted over Macklemore's removal from the tour after on-stage comments the rapper made about the conflict in Gaza.

All of the support acts for the star's current 'The Loop Tour' announced they were dropping out of the remaining dates after the rapper, real name Benjamin Haggerty, was dropped from the line-up.

Mr Sheeran's backing band Beoga also announced they were stepping down, writing on Instagram that they "fully supported" Macklemore's message.

But fans going into Lincoln Financial Field Stadium in Philadelphia last night said they were sticking by the English musician.

James Webber IV from Scranton in Pennsylvania said, "I stand with Ed. I think there's a time for politics and a music concert is not one of those places."

His father, James Webber III, said, "Everything will be fine. In a couple of months this will blow over. He doesn't deserve this.

"I think he did the right thing, staying true to what he believes and the fans will support him," he added.

Kassandra Rivera from Philadelphia said, "Everyone has their own opinion and it's fine.

"I came here to have a good time and watch Ed Sheeran. I've been waiting a whole year to come and see him, so I'm excited to see the show," she added.

A small but vocal pro-Palestine protest was held outside the subway station that serves the stadium, several hundred metres from the venue.

The 35-year-old English singer began his world tour in Auckland, New Zealand in January.

It is set to wrap up in Mexico City in December, with a total of 16 shows still scheduled across North and South America, after Philadelphia.

Prior to acts walking out, the concert was scheduled to start with the first support act at 5.30pm local time (10.30pm Irish time), with doors opening at 4.30pm and Mr Sheeran on stage at 8pm.

The start time for yesterday's show was pushed back from 5.30pm to 8pm. Doors opened at 6pm.

Other acts who dropped out of Mr Sheeran's tour include Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Grammy award-winning musician Finneas, who is Billie Eilish's brother, and Danish singer Lukas Graham.

On Monday, Macklemore posted on Instagram claiming Mr Sheeran and his team had "made the decision to remove" him from ‘The Loop Tour’.

Mr Sheeran responded in a statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, saying it was the promoter's decision to remove the rapper from the tour, not his.

He said "upcoming tour dates had communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting", and added that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium where he was due to play, was among them.

Mr Sheeran added, "I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict."

"Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care.

"Nor does it mean I don't support causes in my own personal way," he added.

The 'Shape Of You' singer said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine", and added he respected Macklemore "as an artist".

Mr Rowe defended Mr Sheeran in a video posted to his Instagram account on Friday, and called for more attention to be paid to "the likes of Robert Kraft - the Zionist lobbies that are trying to silence the voices of people who are shouting about genocide, the genocide that is happening in Palestine right now".