Opening Acts for Ed Sheeran Drop Out of Tour Amid Macklemore Controversy
Ed Sheeran's American tour is in jeopardy as all opening acts have withdrawn in response to Macklemore's removal from the lineup due to his pro-Palestinian remarks.
This decision came just hours after Sheeran addressed his followers on social media, explaining his stance on Macklemore's exclusion and placing the blame on the tour promoters, Messina Touring Group.
“The decision to remove Macklemore was made by the organizers, not me,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram. “I would never let down fans who have made plans and would not abandon my touring team and fellow artists who rely on me to work and earn a living.”
“I respect Macklemore's conviction and his willingness to speak out for what he believes in,” Sheeran added. “But there are different paths to the same goal of peace. I prefer to use my platform for safety and support, maintaining diplomacy and open dialogue rather than shutting down conversation.”
However, his words did not calm the opening acts: Irish musicians Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother, made their stance clear on Instagram.
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“Artists should not be silenced when they raise their voices for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from the upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I support Palestine and its people.”
Rowe and Beoga, in their statements, referred to their country's history. “As Irish people, we understand what colonialism is. As founding members of Irish Artists for Palestine, we remain committed activists for justice,” Beoga stated.
Rowe called Sheeran a friend and noted that the British singer-songwriter changed his life. “But as Irish people, we know too well what genocide, engineered famine, and violent occupation are,” he said, adding that he cannot “stand by and let billionaires use their power to silence legitimate voices.”
Mixing Pop Music and Politics
Earlier this month, Macklemore shared a clip from his performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he repeatedly shouted, “Freedom for Palestine!” while introducing his protest song “Hind's Hall.”
“To all my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, speaking out against genocide is in no way a criticism of you,” he said on stage.
On Monday, Macklemore stated on Instagram that several venues in the U.S. notified the tour organizers of a ban on his performances as an opening act for Sheeran, influenced by billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of the NFL's New England Patriots. Kraft Group also owns Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots.
In a statement released on Monday, Kraft explained the decision to cancel Macklemore's performances due to his recent remarks “and a broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and painful to the Jewish community.”
Meanwhile, old photos of Macklemore resurfaced, showing him performing in a wig and with a fake hooked nose; he has already apologized for this portrayal.
The decisions of his colleagues have intensified pressure on Sheeran, who tries to stay away from politics and not take sides in the Gaza conflict, asserting that fans come to his concerts not for politics.
