Ed Sheeran's Macklemore mess has rocked his public image. PR pros say fans will be more forgiving than you think.

Ed Sheeran kicked off the North American leg of his Loop Tour at Arizona's State Farm Stadium. Mark Surridge Ed Sheeran is facing backlash after Macklemore was removed from his tour over pro-Palestinian remarks. Sheeran's first statement wasn't well received, but fans are still attending his tour. A PR expert and music industry pro both said Sheeran's bottom line is more durable than it appears. The last time Ed Sheeran played Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field three years ago, he drew a record-breaking crowd of almost 78,000 fans. When he returned there on Saturday to perform his chart-topping hits, he opened with a speech that felt more suited for an apology tour than a victory lap. "I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I'm so so sorry," Sheeran told the crowd before he sang a single note.