According to reports from Joop, American rapper Macklemore was removed from the opening lineup of Ed Sheeran’s US tour after shouting “Free Palestine” during a New Jersey concert. The decision triggered a mass walkout of support acts and Sheeran’s own backing band in protest.
Concert Organizers Drop Macklemore Over On-Stage Remarks
The controversy began when Macklemore performed in New Jersey and shouted “Free Palestine” from the stage. According to reporting from Joop, concert organizers promptly removed the rapper from Ed Sheeran’s American tour. Macklemore later explained his stance in statements captured by media, noting that a primary reason for joining the tour was to use stadium platforms to voice support for people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Ed Sheeran addressed the backlash in a public statement. He stated that he wanted to remain politically neutral, asserting that his concerts should serve as a safe space and refuge to keep diplomacy and dialogue open. However, this stance quickly drew sharp criticism and sparked an internal revolt within his touring roster.
The Guardian Columnist Calls Out Neutrality Claims as Hypocrisy
The justification offered by Sheeran drew immediate pushback from media commentators. According to The Guardian columnist Laura Snapes, Sheeran’s appeal to political neutrality is deeply hypocritical. Snapes pointed out that the British singer previously performed at a benefit concert for Ukraine, wrote an open letter to former Prime Minister Theresa May regarding Brexit, and publicly opposed American legislation restricting LGBTQIA+ rights.
Did you know? Ed Sheeran’s refusal to back Macklemore triggered a domino effect, leading his entire support lineup and backing band to sever ties with the tour.
Support Acts and Backing Band Abandon the Tour
The fallout escalated rapidly when replacement acts and crew members refused to take part. Irish singer Aaron Rowe, initially slated to replace Macklemore, released a scathing statement refusing the spot. Rowe stated that as Irish people, they understand the realities of famine and violent occupation, adding that he could not watch billionaires use power to silence anti-genocide voices.
According to Joop, the domino set continued to fall as other scheduled support acts—including Finneas and Danish pop band Lukas Graham—withdrew from the tour. Most notably, Sheeran’s own backing band, the Irish group Beoga, also resigned in solidarity. Beoga explicitly criticized the silencing of Macklemore by what they termed “zionist billionaires.”
The Robert Kraft Connection and Industry Pressure
The controversy brings significant attention to billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. According to source reports, Kraft was the first figure to ban Macklemore from performing in his stadium. Kraft is known as a prominent supporter of the Israeli government and a major donor to the American-Israeli lobby. Sources note that Sheeran maintains a personal friendship with Kraft and previously performed at his wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour?
Concert organizers removed Macklemore after he shouted “Free Palestine” during a live performance in New Jersey.
Who left the tour alongside Macklemore?
Replacement act Aaron Rowe, support artists Finneas and Lukas Graham, and Ed Sheeran’s own backing band, Beoga, all withdrew from the tour in protest.
How did Ed Sheeran defend his position?
Sheeran stated that he wished to remain politically neutral and wanted his concerts to function as a safe space and refuge for open dialogue.
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