Ed Sheeran is set to return to the stage in Philadelphia on Saturday without the support acts originally scheduled for his show, following a dramatic shake-up of his Loop Tour.

The changes came after Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s tour. The rapper had performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month, where he spoke in support of Palestinians and called for a free Palestine during his set.

Photo: Getty Images

Macklemore later announced that he had been dropped from the remaining dates following discussions with Sheeran. Sheeran subsequently said the decision was made by the tour promoter, not by him, after venues indicated they would not host the shows if Macklemore remained on the line-up.

Sheeran said he had spent the week speaking with venues, promoters and activists in an attempt to find a solution. He also confirmed that he had spoken with Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran is due to perform later this month.

Photo: Getty Images

The decision was followed by a series of withdrawals from other artists booked for the tour.

Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga all announced that they would no longer take part in their scheduled dates. Finneas had been due to support Sheeran on South American shows, while Rowe and Lukas Graham were booked for upcoming North American dates. Beoga, the Irish band that has worked with Sheeran for more than a decade, had also been performing with him as part of his live show.

Their departures leave Sheeran without any of the previously announced supporting acts for the remaining US dates. Beoga’s withdrawal also means a major change to the musicians who had been performing alongside him on stage.

The singer’s Philadelphia show at Lincoln Financial Field is scheduled for September 19. The venue has confirmed that the concert will go ahead, although no replacement opening acts had been announced. Reports have indicated that Sheeran could perform without the musicians who previously accompanied him.

Photo: Getty Images

The latest developments have also highlighted Sheeran’s long-standing friendship with Macklemore. The pair previously worked together on Macklemore’s 2015 track Growing Up (Sloane’s Song), and Sheeran has described the rapper as an old friend. He said Macklemore had asked to join the tour and that he respected him as an artist.

Macklemore has given a different account of the events surrounding his removal. He said Sheeran told him that Kraft had objected to his participation at Gillette Stadium and had spoken to other stadium owners. Kraft later confirmed that he had discussed the situation with Sheeran, although he did not confirm Macklemore’s claim that he had rallied other stadium owners.

Photo: Getty Images

Sheeran has maintained that he did not make the decision to remove Macklemore and has defended his decision to keep his concerts separate from political campaigning. He said he wants his shows to bring people from different backgrounds together, while also stating that he is deeply concerned about the suffering caused by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

For Sheeran, the immediate change is clear: the Loop Tour is continuing, but with its original support line-up significantly reduced. His Philadelphia performance will be the first show since Macklemore’s removal and the subsequent withdrawals by the other artists.

Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian were spotted together on a boat ride on Lake Como, Italy, on September 15, adding to the recent run of appearances involving the Formula One driver and the SKIMS founder.

The pair spent around two hours on the lake, with their trip including a stop at Villa Balbianello, the historic villa on Lake Como‘s western shore. They were photographed during the boat outing, giving photographers another look at the pair together away from the Formula One paddock.

Photo: Backgrid

Hamilton kept his daytime look casual, wearing a black-and-red Willy Chavarria jacket with black trousers, black boots, dark sunglasses and a red hat. Kardashian wore a long tan spaghetti-strap dress, paired with oversized black sunglasses and jewellery, while wearing her dark hair loose.

The outing came shortly after Hamilton competed at the Italian Grand Prix, making Lake Como a convenient stop during his time in Italy.

Photo: Backgrid

Kardashian has also been seen supporting Hamilton at Formula One events. She attended the Monaco Grand Prix in June, where she was photographed in the Ferrari garage before watching Hamilton finish second. Following the race, Hamilton was asked about her presence and described her support as “amazing”.

The pair were also photographed together during a July trip to Lake Como. Hamilton shared photographs from the getaway, including images of Kardashian and two of her children, as well as pictures taken on a boat. Kardashian later shared photographs from the trip herself.

Photo: Backgrid

Their appearances together have fuelled ongoing interest in the nature of their relationship. The pair had previously been linked through reports and public sightings before their appearances together became more frequent in 2026.

Later on September 15, Kardashian and Hamilton were photographed having dinner at Ferdi in Paris. Kardashian changed into a fitted black dress with lace detailing for the evening, while Hamilton wore a brown-toned outfit.

The Lake Como boat trip and Paris dinner marked another day in which the pair were photographed together in Europe, following their earlier appearances at the Monaco Grand Prix and their July getaway.

Justin and Hailey Bieber have marked their eighth wedding anniversary with a series of cosy photographs from their mountain getaway.

On Sunday, September 13, Justin shared several photographs from the trip, including pictures of the couple riding a gondola, relaxing by a pool and playing pool together.

Photo: Instagram/@Justin Bieber

One photograph showed Hailey leaning over a pool table with a cue in her hand, while Justin stood nearby. Other pictures showed the couple posing together beside the table.

Justin accompanied the photographs with a short anniversary message to his wife.

“8 years until infinity NEW BEGINNINGS  I love you baby Happy Anniversary,” he wrote.

Hailey shared the post on her Instagram Stories, adding “8 years”. She also joked about her pool-playing abilities in the comments, writing that she had spent eight years being “horrendous at playing pool”.

Photo: Instagram/@Hailey Bieber

The couple married in a civil ceremony at a New York City courthouse on September 13, 2018. They held a larger wedding celebration in South Carolina in September 2019, attended by friends and family.

Justin and Hailey first sparked dating rumours in 2014 and confirmed their relationship in 2016. They later split before reconnecting in 2018. Justin proposed in July that year, and they married two months later.

The couple welcomed their son, Jack Blues Bieber, in August 2024. They have occasionally shared photographs of their family life, while keeping much of their son’s life private.

Photo: Instagram/@Justin Bieber

The anniversary celebration comes after another public appearance from the couple earlier this month. Justin and Hailey appeared together on the inaugural cover of WYouth, with photographs taken by the couple themselves. The shoot included pictures of them kissing and spending time together, as well as family photographs featuring Jack.

Photo: Instagram/@Hailey Bieber

Hailey also marked eight years since their engagement in July, sharing a black-and-white photograph of herself kissing Justin.

For their eighth wedding anniversary, the couple shared a glimpse of their celebrations through photographs from their getaway and Justin’s message to Hailey.