Ed Sheeran breaks silence after rapper ousted over Free Palestine remark at concert

Pop star Ed Sheeran broke his silence on rapper Macklemore’s removal from his US tour, blaming the promoter for dropping the rapper from the line-up after his pro-Palestine remarks on stage. Sheeran addressed the controversy in a six-slide Instagram statement on Tuesday, as the fallout escalated with all four remaining supporting acts subsequently quitting the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Sheeran said he wanted to “set out some facts” about Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour. According to the British singer, the decision was made by the tour promoter after several US venues indicated they would not host the concerts if Macklemore remained on the bill. Sheeran said he spent the week speaking with venues in an attempt to find a solution, but was ultimately unable to change the decision.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said, adding that he had tried to “build a bridge” between the different sides. He also said he did not want to abandon fans who had made plans to attend the shows or the touring crew and musicians who depended on the tour for their livelihoods. Photo credit: Instagram/teddysphotos

Sheeran has attempted to draw a distinction between his own position and the commercial decision to remove Macklemore. The singer said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and insisted that his decision not to make political statements from the stage should not be interpreted as a lack of personal views or concern.

“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on the devastating conflict,” Sheeran said. “Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care," he added. Photo credit: Instagram/teddysphotos Photo credit: Instagram/teddysphotos

He also explained that he does not generally use his “professional platform for politics”, arguing that people attending his concerts do not necessarily expect a political forum. Sheeran said he wanted his shows to function as spaces where people from different backgrounds could feel safe and where dialogue remained possible.

“I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes,” Sheeran said. “However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.” Photo credit: Instagram/teddysphotos Photo credit: Instagram/teddysphotos

Macklemore, however, has questioned that approach, saying Sheeran could not get past his public-facing position of not taking sides. The disagreement has therefore become not only a dispute over one artist being removed from a tour, but also a wider debate among musicians over whether remaining publicly neutral on the Israel-Gaza conflict is itself a political choice.How it all began?

The controversy began after Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, voiced support for Palestinians during his performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. During the September 4 show, he spoke about Gaza and the occupied West Bank and said “Free Palestine”, while also performing his protest song Hind’s Hall. The comments prompted criticism from some Jewish and pro-Israel groups, while the Israeli-American Council called for his removal from the tour.

Macklemore, in his statement after the removal, claimed that the decision to remove him was the result of pressure from stadium owners, particularly Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Macklemore said Sheeran had told him that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners and that they had effectively given the tour an ultimatum: either Macklemore was removed or the shows would not be allowed to take place at their venues. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BEN (@macklemore)

Kraft has since confirmed that he pressured Sheeran over the rapper's participation. He said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium during Sheeran’s September 25 and 26 concerts, citing both his recent remarks and what Kraft described as a “broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery.”

Kraft, however, said his objection was not about denying the suffering of Palestinians or preventing advocacy on their behalf. He argued that such advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure Hamas’ responsibility.

Macklemore, meanwhile, has rejected the framing of his remarks as anti-Semitic and has continued to describe his public position as support for Palestinians. He said he and Sheeran, whom he described as a close friend, had discussed the issue extensively over the past week.

“If those words were more offensive than the tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood,” Macklemore said, referring to his conversation with Sheeran.Opening acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in solidarity with Macklemore

The controversy took another turn on Tuesday when the artists supporting Sheeran on his remaining tour dates announced that they would no longer perform.

Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe was among the first to withdraw. Rowe, who had been scheduled to perform on the remaining North American dates, said he did not take the decision lightly but could not continue after Macklemore’s removal. He referred to Ireland’s own history with “genocide, forced famine and violent occupation” while explaining his decision to stand in solidarity with those speaking about Palestinians.

Traditional Irish band Beoga also announced its departure. The group, which has known Sheeran for more than a decade and was serving as part of his touring setup, said it believed in dialogue but objected to what it described as the silencing of Macklemore.

Danish pop band Lukas Graham followed, with frontman Lukas Forchhammer saying artists should be able to speak about war, civilian deaths and children affected by conflict. He also criticised the influence of wealth, arguing that money should not determine who gets to participate in conversations about suffering.

Singer-songwriter Finneas, who was due to open for Sheeran on six South American dates in November, became the fourth supporting act to pull out. Finneas, who is also known for his musical collaborations with sister Billie Eilish, said: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” He added that he stood with Palestine and its people.

With Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all withdrawing, the entire group of supporting acts for the upcoming dates had effectively left the tour. Beoga's departure also affected Sheeran's live touring setup, making the fallout extend beyond the opening slots.

As the Loop Tour continues, the withdrawal of all four supporting acts has turned what began as a dispute over Macklemore's remarks into a larger confrontation over artistic expression, venue power and the role of political speech at major music events.- EndsPublished By: K JananiPublished On: Sep 16, 2026 09:12 ISTALSO READ | Watch: Ed Sheeran pauses Delhi concert as fan faints, wears Team India jersey