Ed Sheeran issues statement as band, support acts quit tour after Macklemore axed over pro-Palestine comments
Ed Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore from his tour was made by promoters, not himself, following the rapper's pro-Palestine comments. Sheeran emphasized his desire to keep his concerts as neutral spaces for unity.
Why it matters
The intersection of celebrity activism, corporate tour management, and political discourse highlights the challenges artists face in maintaining brand neutrality.
Ed Sheeran has issued a statement after Macklemore was dropped from his tour following pro-Palestine comments the rapper made on stage. Macklemore was removed from the US leg of Sheeran’s Loop tour following remarks he made during a September 5 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. While introducing Hind’s Hall, his protest song about the war in Gaza, the rapper shouted “Free Palestine” while criticising Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” he said on stage. In his first public statement on the controversy, Sheeran said Macklemore had been forced out by promoters and venues, rather than it being a decision made by the singer himself. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram.
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Robert Kraft Confirms He Barred Macklemore From Ed Sheeran Boston Shows - Rolling Stone
Ed Sheeran says it wasn't his decision to drop Macklemore
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Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine comments - The Washington Post
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