As supporting acts quit his US concert tour, Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore wasn’t his decision
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English singer Ed Sheeran said his approach was to not use his professional platform for politics.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Ed Sheeran stated that dropping rapper Macklemore from his US tour was the promoter's decision, not his, after Macklemore's pro-Palestinian remarks caused controversy.
- Several supporting acts quit Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestinians, citing political support and opposing the promoter's decision.
- Macklemore's pro-Palestinian stance sparked both support and criticism, with some accusing him of anti-Semitism, which he denied, emphasizing his focus on accountability for Israel's actions.
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NEW YORK – English pop star Ed Sheeran said on Sept 15 that dropping American rapper Macklemore from his US concert tour was not his decision but that of the tour’s promoter, even as Sheeran distinguished his political approach from Macklemore’s.
Macklemore, 43, was dropped from Sheeran’s US tour after his pro-Palestinian comments and “Free Palestine” remarks during a Sept 4 concert in New Jersey.
Some musical artistes, including supporting acts, said later on Sept 15 that they were quitting Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore’s ouster.
They included Sheeran’s touring Irish band Beoga, American musician Finneas, Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Danish band Lukas Graham. They voiced support for Macklemore and expressed solidarity with Palestinians.
Sheeran said on Instagram: “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.”
Messina Touring Group, promoter of the US leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, told American magazine Rolling Stone that venue owners for upcoming US tour dates had notified the promoters they would not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore in the line-up.
Macklemore has long been pro-Palestinian and critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank. In 2024, he released Hind’s Hall, a protest anthem in solidarity with pro-Palestinian demonstrators and in memory of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli troops in Gaza.
Sheeran, 35, said he respected Macklemore’s “strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes”, but that his approach was to not use his professional platform for politics.
Sheeran said venues for upcoming tour dates had warned they would pull the shows over Macklemore.
Macklemore said on Sept 14 that US billionaire Robert Kraft had rallied support among some stadium owners who warned they would not let Sheeran perform at their venues if Macklemore stayed on the tour.
Sheeran said in his post on Sept 15 that he spoke to Kraft, who had said a day earlier he felt “a responsibility to stand up” when a line gets crossed.
Macklemore received support from pro-Palestinian advocacy groups, artistes and politicians, who said his remarks at such events bring attention to Palestinian plight and suffering.
“Artistes must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas, who performs and collaborates regularly with sister and fellow musician Billie Eilish, said in an announcement about leaving Sheeran’s tour.
Rowe and Beoga cited the history of their country under colonisation in explaining their decision to leave the tour.
Pro-Israeli groups and American singer Pink, who is Jewish, have criticised Macklemore, saying such comments at a concert risk compromising the safety of Jewish and pro-Israeli people at such events.
They also point to a 2014 costume that Macklemore wore, which included a black wig, beard and a fake hooked nose, which critics said tapped anti-Semitic stereotypes. Macklemore subsequently apologised for that costume.
On Sept 14, he denied that his concert comments were anti-Semitic, saying conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel’s actions aims to avoid Israeli accountability. REUTERS