Opening acts and backing band members for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour have withdrawn from upcoming dates in support of rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from the concert lineup following on-stage remarks criticizing Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights.
The collective walkout follows efforts by Sheeran to distance himself from the rapper’s dismissal, stating the decision was made by concert organizers rather than himself.
”Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram.
Sheeran explained that stadium operators across upcoming tour stops threatened to prohibit the shows entirely if Macklemore remained on the bill. Though the singer-songwriter attempted to negotiate a compromise, he stated that “the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final”.
The fallout was further amplified after advocacy group the Israeli-American Council petitioned to have Macklemore removed from the tour.
Macklemore, a longtime supporter of Palestinian rights and vocal critic of Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, confirmed he was axed following comments made during a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
”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,'” Macklemore said from the stage.
”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,” he added, before addressing Jewish audience members directly: “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”.
The Grammy-winning artist was scheduled to appear as a supporting act for eight of the remaining ten shows on Sheeran’s stadium tour, which was set to resume in Philadelphia.