Ed Sheeran has lost followers on social media and faces an unfolding tour crisis after multiple opening acts withdrew from his North American and South American concert dates, according to reports from Forbes. The backlash follows the removal of rapper Macklemore from the tour lineup after he voiced support for Palestine during a September performance.
Macklemore Tour Dismissal and Million-Dollar Pledge
The controversy began when Macklemore announced he had been dropped as a supporting act for Ed Sheeran’s tour following remarks he made at MetLife Stadium on September 4, where he told the crowd, “Palestine libre,” according to Forbes. Responding to the backlash and his removal, Macklemore released a statement announcing he will donate $1 million in net earnings from his time on the Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians, while publicly inviting New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match the donation.
Macklemore stated that Sheeran informed him Kraft had exerted influence on other venues to block his performances.
Supporting Acts Withdraw in Solidarity
Following Macklemore’s dismissal, multiple supporting artists announced they were pulling out of Sheeran’s upcoming tour dates across North America and South America, according to Forbes. Aaron Rowe posted on Instagram that he was withdrawing from the tour as an act of solidarity, stating that as an Irish citizen he recognizes historical trauma firsthand. Irish folk band Beoga, Danish group Lukas Graham, and artist Finneas also withdrew from their respective support slots.
Finneas stated in a brief public message, as reported by Forbes, that artists should not be silenced when speaking up for the oppressed. Lukas Graham added that an artist’s financial standing should not dictate who holds the right to speak or recognize suffering.
Ed Sheeran Stance and Neutrality Position
Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy by releasing a statement clarifying that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by tour promoters rather than himself, according to reporting by Forbes. Sheeran stated he maintained extensive discussions with venue operators throughout the week to find a resolution, including talks with Kraft.
Maintaining his standard policy of keeping political commentary separate from his music and live shows, Sheeran expressed distress over the Israel-Palestine conflict, labeling the suffering on both sides a human tragedy while stating he is not complicit in the decisions made by venues and promoters.
Keep reading