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.

The concert at Lincoln Financial Field is now scheduled for 8 p.m., moved back from the previously advertised 5:30 p.m. start after the remaining opening acts withdrew from Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour. Local station 6abc also reported that the show would proceed without support acts.

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.

Palestine protest, the pop singer returns to the stage in Philadelphia.

Some Ed Sheeran fans say they are excited to enjoy music and are not there for politics after Macklemore was dropped from the tour for making pro-Palestinian comments.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ed Sheeran is set to resume his tour Saturday — possibly solo — after all his supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with opener Macklemore, who was dropped after making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.

It's about 9:30 p.m. at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field, roughly an hour after Ed Sheeran delivered a surprisingly lengthy four-minute speech on the controversy that has engulfed his tour since Macklemore was dropped as an opening act following his pro-Palestinian remarks.