Ed Sheeran concert faces weak ticket demand after Macklemore controversy?

It all started with a speech at Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour. Macklemore then gave a political speech, and pressure mounted to fire him as the opener for the British singer’s U.S. leg of the tour.

The Grammy-winning rapper was removed, and he claimed Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, was the main source of pressure.

Macklemore said this is what the Shape of You singer told him.

In response, the remaining performers who were set to open Sheeran’s concerts reportedly withdrew,

They cited solidarity with Macklemore and protested the lack of free speech.

Now, according to TMZ, the Grammy winner’s upcoming show in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field has yet to sell out.

Per the outlet, they followed StubHub, a resale marketplace, where the tabloid site found dozens of tickets still listed for sale.

From this, TMZ reported that demand for Sheeran’s concert may have slowed right after the Macklemore controversy.

The rapper, meanwhile, remains committed to his political views, saying that despite being dropped, he will still speak out and support the cause he believes in.

“A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart.”

Macklemore continued, “I said, ‘Free Palestine!’ I want those words to be loud and clear so that people all know that we have not forgotten about them.”