Artists, promoters and venues have their own kind of power on troubled tours like Ed Sheeran's
Ed Sheeran's current concert tour is facing significant disruption after rapper Macklemore was removed from the lineup following pro-Palestinian comments. Industry experts note that while artists have influence, promoters and venue owners often hold the ultimate power in determining who performs at major stadium events.
Why it matters
This highlights the complex power dynamics and contractual liabilities in the live music industry when artists' political expressions clash with venue management and promoter interests.
After Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour and four supporting acts quit, music industry insiders explain who really calls the shots when trouble hits a major concert tour.
FILE - Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran performs during "Ed Sheeran's Play: Live from New York" presented by TikTok at Domino Square in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Sep 13, 2025. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)
Concert promoters wield great power. Venue owners can too but they rarely choose to. And artists capable of filling stadiums like Ed Sheeran usually have approval over everything that happens under their name.
That's the consensus view of music business players who talked to The Associated Press about how mammoth tours like Sheeran's generally work.
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