Sources close to the singer say Sheeran is "terrified" at the prospect of performing at Robert Kraft’s Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, the venue where Macklemore was axed, and is considering disappearing from the public eye for an extended period.
The turmoil began when rapper Macklemore delivered a two‑minute pro‑Palestine speech at Sheeran’s New Jersey show, followed by a protest song and images of Gaza, prompting the Israeli‑American Council and stadium owners, including Kraft, to demand his removal from the remaining dates of the Loop tour.
Macklemore subsequently announced he would no longer appear on the tour, citing his responsibility to speak out, and later donated his $1 million net earnings to charities supporting Palestinians, while challenging Kraft to do the same.
In solidarity, four other opening acts – Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga – quit the tour, and pro‑Palestine protests have been staged outside several of Sheeran’s concerts.
Sheeran broke down in tears onstage earlier this week, saying he felt “abandoned” by friends, family and the music community after choosing to continue the tour despite Macklemore’s dismissal. He later issued a statement confirming an ultimatum from Kraft that any further support of Macklemore would bar him from playing at Kraft‑owned venues.
A source told The Mail that Sheeran has a history of taking extended breaks, especially since starting a family, and that he now longs to “go totally off‑grid” – to live without a show‑biz entourage and escape what he describes as exploitation by celebrities and even his own relatives.
The singer’s future plans remain uncertain; the Loop tour’s continuation is in doubt, and industry observers note that any prolonged hiatus could reshape his upcoming release schedule and touring commitments.