Ed Sheeran Defends Macklemore’s Removal from Tour, Citing Promoter Decision

Ed Sheeran publicly addressed the controversy surrounding his touring lineup on Tuesday, clarifying that the removal of supporting act Macklemore was a decision made by concert promoters, not by the English superstar himself. The announcement follows Macklemore’s claim that he was dropped from the tour due to political statements he made regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In a social media statement, Sheeran emphasized that his contract with the performer was held by the promoter rather than himself. He expressed shock at the conflict between Israel and Palestine but noted that upcoming venues in New Jersey communicated they would cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. Sheeran explained that he was informed the opposition was based specifically on how Macklemore conveyed his message during performances, rather than the content of the speech itself.

The singer shared that he engaged in direct negotiations with venue owners, including Kraft Group executive Robert Kraft, regarding stops at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Sheeran also consulted with activists from both sides in an effort to reach a mutual resolution, but stated the final decision rested with the promoters.

Sheeran further elaborated on his longstanding policy of keeping politics out of his live performances. He wrote that his audience includes many children and families who attend concerts as an escape from political discourse. While respecting Macklemore’s courage to speak his mind, Sheeran suggested that there are various approaches to achieving the same goal of peace.

Following the news that Macklemore was removed, several other supporting artists announced their withdrawal from the tour. Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Beoga, and Lukas Graham all stated on Tuesday that they would no longer perform alongside Sheeran. Rowe, an Irish musician who has previously expressed solidarity with Palestine, cited his heritage and history of colonial resistance as reasons for his departure, noting that he could not ignore the moral implications of staying.

Macklemore had originally announced his removal on Monday, asserting that despite his friendship with Sheeran, he had a responsibility to report the facts. He claimed that Sheeran faced unprecedented pressure to challenge his typically apolitical stance. According to Macklemore, Kraft rallied other venue owners and issued an ultimatum to block the concerts unless Macklemore was removed.

The rapper also pushed back against allegations of antisemitism, arguing that conflating the opposition to Zionism with hatred toward Jewish people serves to shield Israel from accountability. He reflected on his初衷 for joining the tour, stating he only needed two chances to address crowds of 90,000 people to say the words “Free Palestine,” which he did during a video posted from their New Jersey show.

Messina Touring Group, the U.S. promoter for the Ed Sheeran Loop Tour, released a statement confirming that venues had notified them they would not permit Macklemore on the lineup. The promoter warned that allowing the cancellation of tour dates would impact hundreds of thousands of fans, leading to the decision to remove the supporting act from the remaining dates.

Robert Kraft provided his own justification to Boston affiliate WCVB, stating that Macklemore’s actions and material shared during the New Jersey shows, combined with a broader history of rhetoric deemed offensive to the Jewish community, crossed a line. However, Kraft clarified that the decision was not intended to diminish Palestinian suffering or deny anyone the right to advocate. He expressed a desire to meet with Macklemore to discuss the facts, emphasizing that their ultimate goal should be peace and an end to hate.

According to Variety, Macklemore was scheduled to perform eight additional shows with Sheeran. ABC News has contacted Macklemore for further comment.