Ed Sheeran's Loop tour unraveling explained as singer expected to proceed with next show

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Set us as preferred Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour, in the span of less than two weeks, became an unexpected lightning rod for controversy and conversation about artist activism amid Israel’s deadly war in Gaza.Still, the show will go on.

Sheeran’s tour will proceed as planned, The Times has learned.He is scheduled to play on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The venue also confirmed on Wednesday that the Saturday concert is still a go, but that supporting acts have yet to be finalized.A representative for Sheeran’s tour did not immediately respond to requests for additional information, including who will be the new supporting acts.

In a rapid turn of events since rapper and former opening act Macklemore called for Palestinian liberation onstage earlier this month, Sheeran — the singer of inoffensive hits including “Thinking Out Loud” and “Shape of You” — fell out with the fellow Grammy winner, witnessed all supporting acts drop from his lineup and defended himself against accusations of complicity in silencing criticism of Israel.Additionally, Sheeran confronted scrutiny over his largely apolitical public presence.

He attributed this to his longtime desire to “bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together” via his music and performances.“I am not complicit.

I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” he wrote Tuesday on Instagram.“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.”Ahead of Sheeran’s first concert since the scrutiny surrounding Macklemore’s performance, read on for what preceded the fallout of Sheeran’s Loop tour.Before hitting the stage for Sheeran’s Loop tour, Macklemore famously burst onto the...