British singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, has broken his silence on Macklemore’s removal from his United States tour, saying he tried unsuccessfully to persuade venues and promoters to allow the rapper to remain on the bill.
Sheeran said the decision to drop Macklemore from the tour was made by promoter Messina Touring Group after several venues objected to the rapper’s planned appearances following his pro-Palestinian comments at MetLife Stadium.
The singer said he spoke with venue owners, including Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, after learning that some venues were unwilling to host Macklemore. However, his efforts to find a solution did not succeed.
“I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so,” Sheeran wrote in a statement shared on Instagram.
“I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”
Sheeran said Macklemore had asked to join the tour last year and that he agreed because he respected him as an artist.
He added that, as with his other support acts, Macklemore was allowed to choose his own setlist.
“Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist,” Sheeran wrote.
“As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing.”
According to Sheeran, he also held discussions with promoters and activists from both sides in an attempt to reach a compromise, but the decisions of the venues and promoter remained unchanged.
“I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final,” Sheeran wrote.
Explaining why he ultimately accepted the decision, Sheeran said he did not want to disappoint fans who had made arrangements to attend the concerts or affect members of his touring team and other performers who depend on the shows for their livelihoods.
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
Sheeran also addressed the Israel-Hamas war, saying he was “appalled” by the suffering caused by the conflict. He said he had personal views on the issue but preferred not to use his professional platform for political advocacy.
“The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy,” he wrote.
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics — my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds,” he continued. “Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes.
However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for change.”
Messina Touring Group had earlier confirmed that Macklemore would no longer perform on Sheeran’s Loop Tour after venues indicated they would cancel the concerts if the rapper remained involved. Macklemore had been scheduled to support Sheeran at eight of his 10 upcoming US shows.
Macklemore, in his own statement, blamed Kraft and other stadium owners for his removal.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium.”
Macklemore wrote. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
Kraft acknowledged that he had told Sheeran that Macklemore was not welcome at Gillette Stadium, citing what he described as the rapper’s “recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”
Macklemore had performed at MetLife Stadium in the New York City area earlier in September, where he said “Free Palestine” during the first of two concerts.
He also performed “Hind’s Hall,” a song about pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University, and displayed images depicting devastation in Gaza.
“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,’” he said at the first gig. “I said, ‘Free Palestine!’ I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them.”
Sheeran’s US tour is scheduled to continue through the autumn, with Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe opening the remaining dates.
