Ed Sheeran’s Statement Only Makes Things Worse Amid Macklemore Firing Scandal
Macklemore was recently dropped as an opener on Ed Sheeran’s tour following his vocal support for Palestine. This move sparked swift backlash against Sheeran, and all his supporting acts ultimately dropped out of the tour. Sheeran later said Macklemore’s firing was not his decision. This has only led to further outrage.
Macklemore was fired from Ed Sheeran’s tour
During a brief statement between songs in his opening act, Macklemore said that he wants the people of Gaza to know “we have not forgotten about them.” Macklemore has been vocal in his support of Palestine. These comments ultimately led to his firing.
“As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans,” the tour’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, told Rolling Stone. “After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, reportedly pressured Sheeran to drop Macklemore. The rapper later addressed his firing on his Instagram account.
“Before I get into it, I want to say something that should be obvious. In this moment I think it matters. I am not a victim,” he wrote. “Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families. The victims are the Palestinian people.”
Ed Sheeran responded to the backlash to Macklemore’s firing
Macklemore’s firing due to his support for a free Palestine led to swift public backlash. The anger eventually prompted Sheeran to respond. He said that the decision to drop Macklemore was not his own.
“I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than everything that was said,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram. “I spoke with venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft.”
He added that he has opinions on the matter, but chooses not to share them.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” he said. “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.”
He added that because he has young fans, he tries not to get into politics during his shows.
“There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics — my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds,” he wrote. “Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.”
The statement only sparked further backlash
Sheeran’s statement only further fanned the flames of anger against him. People were furious that he avoided taking a stance.
“I love that Macklemore forced him to take a position though. At least now we all know where he stands,” one Reddit user wrote. “You don’t get to say ‘I am not complicit’ when your stance is silence. Silence is complicity.”
People specifically were angry about Sheeran’s line about complicity. They felt he had more power to keep Macklemore on the tour.
“I literally guffawed when I read that. Motherf***er, who else would be complicit if not you???” one person asked. “It’s your tour, don’t try to tell us it was the promoter’s decision. If you actually had a spine, you would put your money where your mouth is and sue the venues for breach of contract.”
People also pointed out that Sheeran spoke out about Ukraine and criticized Brexit.
“He also had no issues using his concerts to support Ukraine, which is also (gasp) a political decision,” one person wrote. “He’s spineless and a coward.”
The tour has not just taken hits from the public. Backing acts Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham, and Finneas all announced that they were dropping out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
