WATCH: Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy during live concert transcript

Before I play some songs tonight, I hope it's okay if I say a few words about this last week. >> [cheering] >> I'm used to my music being criticized, and I'm always happy to take that as I'm lucky a lot of you like my stuff, and to be honest, I'm surprised I'm not surprised that other people don't, you know, it's normal. But this week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I'm so so sorry.

I don't want to disappoint fans, and I've never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet. >> [cheering] >> My concerts have always been a safe space for everyone, and that matters hugely to me. Honoring my commitment to my fans is also completely central to who I am. And that is why I'm here tonight on my own and continuing my CURRENT TOUR. >> [cheering] >> BUT I AM I AM DEEPLY WORRIED ABOUT THE idea that venues should pre-approve content for performers.

This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world. >> [applause] [cheering] >> Now, I want to address the question of where I stand in the situation in Israel and Palestine, and whether my doing this concert here tonight implies where I stand. I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division, about humanity, not politics. >> [cheering] >> But this is a >> But, this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.

What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7th was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic, and unjustifiable, and disproportionate. Our hearts have been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children's lives. And the systemic injustice we're seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked. I am already speaking to people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times, and listening, and learning, because I do not know enough.

I honestly am so grateful [cheering] that you are here tonight with me. >> [applause] >> This This concert is supposed to be a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views, and everyone here can stand by people that they don't agree with on everything, but they can all agree on singing these songs. [cheering] >> [applause] >> And these songs are about love, hope, and unity.