Activist Billy Bragg has urged Ed Sheeran to cancel the remaining dates of his "LOOP" tour, asserting that billionaire stadium owners should not control what artists say on stage. The call comes after rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour for voicing support for Palestine.
Macklemore's removal has led to a cascade of withdrawals from Sheeran's support acts. Finneas, who is Billie Eilish's brother, along with Sheeran's friend Myles Smith, Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk band Beoga, have all announced they are pulling out of their scheduled performances.
Bragg, known for his socially conscious songwriting, told BBC Radio 4's "World at One" that Sheeran should not have booked Macklemore if he wished to avoid political statements, as the rapper has been an outspoken advocate for Palestine for over a year. Bragg suggested that Macklemore's removal has inadvertently amplified his message to a wider audience, a move he described as the stadium owners "shooting themselves in the foot."
When questioned about the perception of "Free Palestine" as antisemitic, Bragg acknowledged that some interpret it that way but stated that such intent is not present. He emphasized the importance of being able to critique the actions of the Israeli government without being automatically accused of antisemitism, clarifying that he would support a ban if Macklemore had made antisemitic remarks, which he did not.
Sheeran himself addressed the situation, stating that Macklemore's removal was a decision made by the promoter and not by him. He explained that his audience consists of individuals from diverse backgrounds who do not expect his concerts to be a political platform. Sheeran also noted that venues communicated they would cancel shows if Macklemore continued as a support act, a stance allegedly influenced by billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft.
Sheeran stated that he attempted to find a resolution but was unsuccessful, and that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter, not directly with him. He added that he would not cancel the remaining dates to avoid letting down fans and his touring crew.
Myles Smith, while confirming his own withdrawal from the tour, expressed continued support for Sheeran, emphasizing that "Ed is not the victim here. Palestinians are. But let's not get confused: Ed is also not the perpetrator." Smith highlighted his personal background, which includes experiences with Holocaust survivors and the Muslim community, as informing his view that remaining neutral is not a human response.
Fans have largely rallied behind Sheeran, with many arguing that he is being unfairly blamed and is a "scapegoat" for broader issues. They have defended his right to keep his concerts apolitical and praised his past charitable work.
However, some fans and commentators have questioned Sheeran's stance, suggesting that art is inherently political and that neutrality in significant conflicts can be problematic. The controversy has reportedly led to Sheeran losing over 200,000 Instagram followers in 24 hours. The tour is set to continue with no opening acts scheduled for its remaining 18 dates.