New Delhi, Sept. 20 -- Alone at the stage of a stripped-down concert in Philadelphia on Saturday, singer Ed Sheeran addressed the recent controversy surrounding his tour head-on.

In his first direct remarks since rapper Macklemore was dropped from the lineup over pro-Palestinian statements, Sheeran apologised to his fans, acknowledging he had made "mistakes" in handling the fallout.

"I never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about free speech and the most complex political issue on the planet," he told the crowd.

Performing without any opening acts, the singer also clarified his stance on the ongoing conflict, condemning the 7 October 2023 attacks as "horrific" ...