Jack Antonoff Criticizes Ed Sheeran's Handling of Macklemore's Palestine Remarks

Producer Jack Antonoff has publicly criticized Ed Sheeran for removing rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour due to pro-Palestine remarks made on stage. Antonoff argued that Sheeran, 35, missed an opportunity to take a stand against what he described as billionaire influence in the music industry.

"[Ed Sheeran] missed a massive, beautiful opportunity there: just cancel the whole fg tour, then play for free outside each venue, raise a bunch of money, rather than let a fg billionaire tell you what to do," Antonoff, 42, stated in an interview with The Guardian. He added, "The reason it’s not an anomaly or niche issue is because we all live in a world where billionaires are constantly telling us what to do. So stand the f**k up."

Antonoff noted that he has consistently expressed support for Palestine at his own shows, asserting that such statements are a "deeply human thing to say" and should not be considered controversial. He emphasized that artists should not allow promoters to dictate their speech.

The controversy arose in September when Macklemore performed at two shows on Sheeran's tour, delivering a "Free Palestine" speech and performing his song "Hind's Hall." Reports indicated that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, and other NFL owners allegedly threatened to cancel Sheeran's performances if Macklemore remained as an opening act. Sheeran's shows at Gillette Stadium were subsequently canceled due to weather concerns.

Following his removal from the tour, Macklemore commented that Sheeran's "typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before." Sheeran's tour openers, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe, departed the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Sheeran later addressed the situation during a performance in Philadelphia on September 19, apologizing and expressing that he felt abandoned by friends and family for not immediately supporting his opening act. He acknowledged making "mistakes" in handling the fallout and voiced concerns about the impact on freedom of speech, stating, "It should never happen in the free world."

Despite the controversy, Sheeran is continuing his Loop Tour across the United States before heading to Latin America and concluding in Mexico City on December 11. Meanwhile, Macklemore announced a three-date "Free Palestine" tour, which reportedly sold out quickly. The "Macklemore & Friends: Free Palestine" tour is scheduled to include concerts in Dublin, Paris, and London.