'What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic': Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore row
Musician Ed Sheeran has addressed the controversy surrounding his tour after rapper Macklemore was criticized for pro-Palestinian remarks during their shared shows. Sheeran expressed his personal distress over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while attempting to balance his desire to keep his concerts as neutral spaces.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the growing pressure on global entertainers to take public stances on complex geopolitical conflicts.
Ed Sheeran on Saturday addressed the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal from his US tour, saying he could no longer “hide” how he feels about the Israel-Palestine conflict.The controversy began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during Sheeran’s September 4 and 5 shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including saying “Free Palestine” and performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall”.Speaking at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Sheeran opened his solo concert by addressing the controversy and the wider debate over free speech that has engulfed his Loop Tour.“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran said.He acknowledged that he had made “mistakes” while navigating the difficult decisions surrounding the controversy.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in