British singer Ed Sheeran has broken his silence on Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour. He insists that the decision was made by promoters and US venues, not by him. In recent days, the Macklemore tour removal has generated significant discussion among fans and industry professionals.
According to PEOPLE and the Associated Press, Sheeran addressed the controversy in a statement on Instagram on Tuesday. This happened after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining US dates following his pro-Palestine comments during performances in New Jersey. The Macklemore tour removal became a focal point in the debate.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said.
The singer explained that several venues scheduled to host upcoming shows had threatened to pull out if Macklemore remained on the line-up.
Sheeran says he tried to resolve dispute
Sheeran said he spent days speaking with venues and other parties in an attempt to reach a compromise.
He confirmed that he spoke with Robert Kraft. Kraft’s Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, one of the venues where Macklemore had been scheduled to perform.
Sheeran said he was also involved in discussions with the tour promoter. He also spoke to activists on both sides of the Israel-Palestine debate. However, a resolution could not be reached, leaving the Macklemore tour removal unresolved for some time.
He stressed that Macklemore’s contract was with the tour promoter rather than directly with him.
Sheeran also rejected suggestions that his reluctance to publicly take a side in the conflict meant he was indifferent to the suffering involved.
“I am not complicit,” he said.
The singer explained that he prefers to keep his concerts focused on music, unity and escapism. He said this is because his audience includes people from different backgrounds and many young fans.
He nevertheless said he respected Macklemore’s determination to publicly defend causes he believes in.
Macklemore removed after Palestine remarks
The controversy began after Macklemore used his performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to express support for Palestinians. This event ultimately led to the Macklemore tour removal from US dates.
During one appearance, the rapper shouted “Free Palestine” and spoke about suffering in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Macklemore later said he and Sheeran held difficult conversations about the fallout. He added that they remained respectful despite fundamentally disagreeing over how artists should respond to the conflict.
Several venues subsequently informed the tour promoter that they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup.
Messina Touring Group then announced that he would no longer perform on the remaining support dates. They said keeping him on the bill could result in cancelled concerts affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.
Supporting acts quit tour
The controversy intensified on Tuesday when four supporting acts — Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas — announced they were withdrawing from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking up for oppressed people. Meanwhile, the other acts also cited their support for Palestine in explaining their decisions.
Despite the mounting criticism, Sheeran maintained that he had attempted to find common ground before promoters made the final decision.
He said his concerts would continue to be spaces where people from different cultures and backgrounds could come together through music.
