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The US tour of British pop singer Ed Sheeran has been thrown into jeopardy after all support acts quit in response to the rapper Macklemore being dropped from the line-up for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage.
The move came hours after Sheeran took to social media to explain his views about Macklemore’s ouster, attributing the decision to the tour’s promoters, Messina Touring Group.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “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.”
“I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes,” Sheeran added. “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.”
But his words have seemingly failed to placate his support acts with Irish artists Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham and Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas all making their feelings clear on Instagram.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Rowe and Beoga each cited their country’s history in their statements explaining their decision. “We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be,” Beoga said.
Rowe called Sheeran a friend and said the British singer-songwriter changed his life. “But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” he said, adding that he couldn’t “stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.”
Mixing pop and politics
Earlier this month, Macklemore posted a clip on social media of his perfomance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium where he repeated “Free Palestine!” while introducing his protest song ‘Hind’s Hall.’
“To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” he said during the concert.
Macklemore said Monday on Instagram that several US venues told the promoter they would prohibit him from performing as Sheeran’s opening act, rallied by American billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of NFL’s New England Patriots. His Kraft Group also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play.
In a statement Monday, Kraft said the decision to cancel Macklemore was a result of his recent comments “and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”
Meanwhile, old pictures have emerged of Macklemore wearing a fake hooked nose and wig for which he has apologised.
The moves by his fellow artists have put enormous pressure on Sheeran, who has tried to avoid politics and taking a side in the Gaza conflict, arguing that his fans don’t come to his shows to hear politics.