British singer Ed Sheeran opened his solo concert on Saturday by talking about Gaza, describing the situation there as "catastrophic, unforgivable and blown out of proportion".

Sheeran's statements came in light of the widespread controversy that accompanied his tour, after bands supporting the Palestinian cause pulled out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was removed from the tour following pro-Palestinian statements he made on stage during a previous concert.

Sheeran began his concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, alone and without an opening act, before other musicians later joined him.

Sheeran said that he wants his music and concerts to revolve around unity and humanity, not politics, and added: "I don't want to disappoint my fans, and I never wanted to be an activist musician, but what's happening puts me at the heart of an important and intense debate about freedom of expression and the most complex political issue on the planet."