Ed Sheeran takes stage to address Macklemore row. Ed Sheeran on Saturday addressed the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore's removal from his US tour, saying he could no longer “hide” how he feels about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Speaking at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Sheeran opened his solo concert by addressing the controversy and the wider debate over free speech that has engulfed his Loop Tour. Sheeran said he wanted his music and concerts to focus on unity and humanity rather than politics.
”“I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet,” Sheeran said. He acknowledged that he had made “mistakes” while navigating the difficult decisions surrounding the controversy.
“I have tried in my career not to be a political commentator of any kind, because I want my music and shows to be about unity, not division; about humanity, not politics. But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore," he added.'
“What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of of devastation and loss of civilian lives, of children's lives, and this systemic injustice we're seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked,” he added.
He also said he was “deeply worried about the idea that venues pre-approve content for performance”. “I am honestly so grateful that you're here tonight with me,” he told the audience.
“This concert is still a place where everyone is welcome and everyone here can stand beside people that have opposing views,” he added. Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining US dates after venues objected to his participation, according to the tour promoter.
Several supporting acts later withdrew from the tour in solidarity. Why was Macklemore removed?
Macklemore’s remarks drew criticism from some Jewish and pro-Israel organisations, with the Israeli-American Council calling for him to be removed from the tour. Messina Touring Group, the promoter behind the US leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, later announced that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining dates.
The promoter said venues had informed it that they would not allow concerts featuring the rapper to proceed, potentially leading to cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of ticket holders. Sheeran has said the decision was made by the promoter and venues, not by him.
