Ed Sheeran Addresses Backlash Over Macklemore's Removal from Tour
Singer breaks silence on rapper's exit from his tour following pro-Palestinian remarks, stating he cannot remain silent on humanitarian issues.
Ed Sheeran publicly addressed the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore's removal from his tour, stating his reluctance to be a political commentator but his inability to stay silent on what he described as a humanitarian issue. Performing in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sheeran spoke for nearly four minutes, acknowledging "mistakes" in handling the fallout.
"I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore," Sheeran stated. He condemned the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks as "horrific" and called the situation in Gaza "unjustifiable."
The controversy began when Macklemore, performing as an opening act for Sheeran in early September, declared, "A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine." He later referred to the death toll in Gaza as a genocide, a claim Israel rejects.
This led to a petition from the Israeli American Council demanding his removal and criticism from groups like StopAntisemitism. Pink, who is Jewish, also publicly criticized Macklemore's comments. Macklemore stated in an Instagram post that billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft had called Sheeran, resulting in Macklemore being barred from performing at Kraft's Gillette Stadium. Messina Touring Group confirmed Macklemore's removal on September 14, citing venue concerns.
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, confirmed he banned Macklemore, accusing the rapper of hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric, while also acknowledging the suffering in Gaza but criticizing the selective information presented.
Macklemore expressed empathy for Sheeran's position but criticized his silence, noting that "there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed." He also addressed accusations of antisemitism, stating that such accusations have been used to enforce silence.
The repercussions extended to Sheeran's other support acts. Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk band Beoga all withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and pro-Palestinian sentiments. Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, also stated artists should not be silenced for speaking up for the oppressed.
Fans have expressed mixed reactions. Some ticket holders felt the show was diminished without the original lineup. Others, like Patti Ann, supported Sheeran's decision, citing contractual obligations. However, Damien Given criticized Sheeran for perceived lack of transparency, pointing to his past support for Ukraine.
Ireland's Classic Hits Radio announced it was removing Sheeran's music from its playlists due to listener feedback. Sheeran, though raised in England, identifies culturally as Irish.
Sheeran's Loop Tour continues with approximately ten remaining US dates through November before moving to South America and concluding in Mexico in December.