Ed Sheeran’s US tour has been thrown into further turmoil after four musicians announced they were pulling out in protest over the removal of Macklemore as a supporting act following pro-Palestine comments he made on stage.
Irish performers Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish group Lukas Graham and US musician Finneas all said they would no longer take part in Sheeran’s tour.
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.
The four acts later released separate statements in protest of the decision to axe the US rapper, announcing their departures from the tour.
Beoga, Sheeran’s touring band, cited their home country’s history of colonialism, famine and occupation as a reason behind their decision to exit the tour.
“We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be,” Beoga said.
“We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be We believed in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.”
Rowe described Sheeran as a friend who had changed his life, making clear the decision was not taken lightly.
“But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” he said, saying he could not “stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.”
Finneas, brother of popstar Billie Eilish, has publicly advocated for Palestinians in the past and continued to do so amid the Macklemore controversy.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” he wrote.
“I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Lukas Graham, meanwhile, expressed gratitude towards Sheeran and called it “a difficult decision.”
“Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge,” the band posted.
“I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand.”
Following his removal from the tour, Macklemore said several US venues had told promoters they would not allow him to perform at as Sheeran’s opening act, laying blame on pressures on billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” the rapper wrote on Instagram.
“Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
Kraft responded with a statement on Monday, saying the decision to cancel Macklemore was a result of his recent comments “and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”
Sheeran also spoke out in a social media post, saying 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.
“Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
Despite the ongoing controversy, Sheeran said he would refrain from publicly sharing his “personal views on this devastating conflict”.
“I am not complicit... Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
Pink inserted herself in the drama after she re-shared a post online from advocacy group StopAntisemitism that criticised Macklemore’s mid-performance message about Palestine.
The US singer, born Alecia Moore, later released a lengthy statement to address wide-spread condemnation she received over the re shared post.
“I’ve been quiet in my own words for a week, which you know isn’t like me. So here they are,” Pink wrote.
“Last Sunday I reposted somebody else’s post about Macklemore’s set at Ed Sheeran’s show. It said things in words I didn’t write, and I wouldn’t have chosen all of them.”
Pink stated her own view on the issue and pointed to her Jewish heritage.
“I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it,” she added.
“And this week a whole lot of people decided what I believe without asking me, without checking a single thing I’ve ever said or done, because a repost and the word “Jew” were apparently enough to fill in the rest. But let me fill it in... myself.
“Of course I don’t speak for Israel, or for any government. I never have. What I said in October 2023 is still exactly what I believe: Hamas is a terrorist organization.
“Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity and their aspirations. Protecting innocent life comes first, everywhere, and nobody should ever celebrate the death of a child.”
The singer cited a previous on-stage controversy by Macklemore was part of the reason his message during Sheeran’s concert did not sit right with her.
“I was in the room at the Grammys in 2014 when Macklemore rapped Same Love and thirty-three couples, gay and straight, got married to it, and I cheered, no questions asked,” Pink continued.
“Four months later Macklemore put on a hooked nose, a black beard and a bowl cut, performed in it, and called it a “random costume.” Every Jew I know knew exactly what it was.
“The same love, it turned out, had a guest list, and we weren’t on it. But he apologized, and I let it go, because that’s what we do. “
Macklemore later insisted it was a “random costume” that he wore at the event and it was not his “idea of a stereotype of anybody.”
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