Ed Sheeran Responds To Macklemore’s Exclusion From Tour; FINNEAS, Aaron Rowe & More Drop Out As Openers (Updated)
Ed Sheeran and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft have responded to statements Macklemore made after being dismissed from his supporting duties for the “Loop Tour,” and the controversy prompted the global star’s additional openers, including FINNEAS, to drop out of Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with the Seattle rapper.
It was reported Monday Macklemore would no longer support Sheeran’s stadium trek across North America after venue owners told promoter Messina Touring Group that they wouldn’t move forward with any shows if the Seattle rapper remained on the bill.
The venue owners pushed back against Macklemore’s set and his statements supporting a free Palestinian state during a concert at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4.
Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran’s Stadium Tour Following Onstage ‘Free Palestine’ Comments
Sheeran took to Instagram Tuesday morning and posted a bulleted series of “facts” that he felt were important to “set out.” He confirmed venues threatened to pull shows and that promoter Messina Touring Group ultimately decided to drop Macklemore as an opener.
“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,” Sheeran wrote. “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. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft. 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.”
The global megastar added that Macklemore signed a contract with the promoter, not with Sheeran, to support the stadium tour, and that he wouldn’t want to let down his fans or everyone who works on the tour and relies on him for work.
Sheeran’s openers for future shows responded to the venues’ and promoter’s decision by dropping out of the “Loop Tour,” aware that performing in front of a large stadium crowd is a massive opportunity. FINNEAS, rising Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga announced on their respective Instagram pages that they will no longer travel with Sheeran for his “Loop Tour,” supporting freedom of speech and Macklemore’s sentiments about what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people,” said FINNEAS, who was scheduled to perform during the South American leg of the tour.
Rowe and Boega expressed their appreciation for Sheeran and the opportunity he gave them, but the Irish artists said they couldn’t move forward with the tour knowing that a fellow musician was silenced for expressing their beliefs.
“I don’t take this decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this,” Rowe wrote. “But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. … I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal. I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonization, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland.”
He signed off his statement with, “FREE PALESTINE.”
Boega wrote: “We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us. We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be. We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people. As musicians, playing to those crowds every night is the stuff of dreams, but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.”
In their statement, Danish pop band Lukas Graham said, “We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them. … Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge. I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand. We’re withdrawing from the remaining dates.”
Kraft, an 85-year-old businessman who owns the NFL’s New England Patriots, confirmed he barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium because the venue “has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech.”
Kraft said in a statement on Monday: “Based on Macklemore’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, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line.”
He added that his decision isn’t “about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf” and “that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. … Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.”
Sheeran also responded to backlash from those who support Macklemore and his “Free Palestine” statements.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” he wrote. “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. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. 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,” Sheeran adds. “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.”
Editor’s Note: A previous story included Aaron Rowe’s decision to drop out of Ed Sheeran’s tour. The story has been updated to include other artists who later announced they would not support the “Loop Tour,” including FINNEAS, Lukas Graham and Boega.
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