In less than two weeks, the North American leg of British singer Ed Sheeran's tour has gone from cultural event to controversial controversy. Including all the musicians who performed as opening acts dropped out of the tour. RTVI was looking into what happened.
It all started on September 4 at a show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as part of the tour in support of Ed Sheeran's eighth studio album, 2025's Play. American rapper Macklemore, who opened for the musician, performed the song Hind's Hall, dedicated to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and said from the stage that one of the main reasons for his participation in the tour was “the opportunity to stand in stadiums like this and say two words that are very close to his heart.” He then said the slogan Free Palestine. During the speech, footage of destruction in Gaza was shown on the screens, Variety notes.
Following the completion of two shows in New Jersey, the Israeli American Council (IAC) launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the tour lineup.
“The issue is not whether Macklemore has the right to have political views. The question is where the line should be drawn when opening acts at a global concert are used to promote a one-sided political agenda,” the IAC document notes.
In response to the petition, Macklemore posted a video of himself performing at the stadium with the caption: “The desire for all people to be treated equally should never be controversial.” Later, on September 11, singer Pink published a detailed statement on Instagram. She stressed that “as a Jewish mom,” she wants to be able to say how the rapper’s actions “scared her and the people she loves.”
Then, on September 14, promoter Messina Touring Group announced that Macklemore had been dropped from the remaining eight shows on the tour. A statement provided to Rolling Stone stated that venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates will not allow a concert with Macklemore in the lineup. This would have resulted in the cancellation of the tour and would have impacted hundreds of thousands of fans, so following discussions with interested parties, the rapper will not be performing on the remaining dates.
That same day, Macklemore posted a statement on Instagram accusing Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft of pressuring Sheeran. According to the rapper, Kraft called the singer and stated that the rapper “would not be allowed to perform at his stadium” and also “gathered some other stadium owners” who collectively issued an ultimatum: “If Macklemore stays on tour, you will not be able to perform at our venues.”
Robert Kraft, in turn, released a statement provided to Billboard, accusing Macklemore of anti-Semitic rhetoric and confirming that he had banned him from performing at Gillette Stadium. Because the venue, he said, “has a long-standing commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all guests” and ensures that events there “do not provide a platform for hate speech.” Then, on September 15, Ed Sheeran himself published a post on Instagram in which he mentioned his non-involvement in the suspension that occurred.
“Taking Macklemore off the tour was the promoter's decision, not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me. I'm not involved [к отстранению рэпера]. I have personal views on this destructive conflict [палестинско-израильский]. Just because I choose not to speak publicly does not mean that I don’t have them and that I don’t care,” Sheeran emphasized.
All the remaining artists who opened for Sheeran – American performer Finneas, Danish pop group Lukas Graham, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, as well as the Northern Irish group Beoga, who accompanied Sheeran at concerts – announced their refusal to participate in the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, writes Pitchfork.
Finneas stated: “Artists should not be silent when speaking for the oppressed. I am with Palestine and its people.” Aaron Rowe wrote: “As Irish people we know all too well of genocide, forced famine and forced occupation.”
The Lukas Graham band said they “love Ed” and are grateful for everything they did with him, but said they could not continue the tour “under the current circumstances.” Beoga, who performed six songs with Sheeran during the show, expressed support for Macklemore and the slogans for a free Palestine.
“It is important that everyone knows that the real enemy is the Zionist lobby. They work tirelessly to silence artists who want to speak freely about genocide. We are Irish people who understand colonialism,” the group said in a statement.
Pink Floyd bassist and vocalist Roger Waters also criticized Ed Sheeran for his reaction to Macklemore's exclusion from the tour. The artist said that “there are two types of people in this world” – those who do the right thing, like rapper Macklemore, and those who “are assholes.”
By September 16, Sheeran was left without opening artists and backing band, Billboard notes. According to the publication, the tour is set to resume on September 19 in Philadelphia, but in a completely different configuration. Which one exactly will be clear closer to the performance.
