Ed Sheeran Says Decision to Drop Macklemore From Tour ‘Was Not Mine’: ‘I Have Spent This Week Trying to Build Bridges’
Categoria: Musica
"It's important that I set out some facts," he captioned his post.
Por Billboard | 15/09/2026
Ed Sheeran is saying his piece amid an onslaught of backlash to the removal of Macklemore as his opening act on tour, with the pop star clarifying his beliefs on the violence in Gaza and his approach to activism. Related Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over His ‘Free Palestine’ Comments Macklemore Reacts to Being Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over ‘Painful Disagreement’ of His ‘Free Palestine’ Chant Robert Kraft Calls Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Statements ‘Deeply Offensive’: ‘A Line Had Been Crossed’ In a bulleted statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday (Sept. 15) — one day after it was announced that the rapper had been dropped from the U.S. leg of the British singer’s Loop Tour for his “Free Palestine” demonstration on stage at two of the shows — Sheeran began by saying he’s “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.” “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” he continued. “I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said.” In his post — captioned “It’s important that I set out some facts” — Sheeran went on to say that he’d spent the past week conversing with the stadiums as well as “activists on both sides” in an attempt to unify everyone involved. “The venue’s and promoter’s decision was final,” the four-time Grammy winner wrote. “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so.” Billboard has reached out to Macklemore’s rep for comment. Controversy surrounding the Loop Tour first started earlier in September when the “Thrift Shop” artist passionately called for an end to the violence Palestinians have suffered in Israel’s war against Hamas since the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. As of June, more than 73,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the conflict, the Associated Press reported, citing Gaza’s Health Ministry. Macklemore has been one of the most vocal musicians in amplifying the stance that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, something that has been acknowledged by the United Nations but denied by Israel and its allies, including the United States government. On stage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., the rapper declared, “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.” After the Israeli-American Council launched a petition to remove Macklemore from Sheeran’s tour — cal