Sheeran Addresses Backlash, Aiko Hits No. 1, Shatner Debuts Metal

Ed Sheeran used his Philadelphia concert to address the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal as an opening act. Sheeran acknowledged the difficult situation, stating, "This wasn’t the easy option," and shared his perspective on the ongoing conflict, noting the "horrific" events of October 7th in Israel and calling the situation in Gaza "catastrophic and unjustifiable."

In other music news, Jhené Aiko achieved her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with "Westside Whimsy," marking a significant career milestone. Meanwhile, actor William Shatner surprised fans by making his heavy metal debut, covering songs by Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne at a warm-up gig ahead of his official Riot Fest performance.