Ed Sheeran releases statement over Macklemore being dropped from tour

Ed Sheeran has released a statement regarding the removal of Macklemore as an opening act for his US tour shows after the rapper and DJ spoke in support of Palestine on stage.

Macklemore had been opening for Sheeran at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 4 September when he said 'free Palestine' on stage, thanked others who had stood up for Palestinians and said he wanted people living in Gaza and the West Bank to know they hadn't been forgotten.

It resulted in Macklemore being dropped from the rest of the tour, with him releasing a statement reiterating his support for Palestinians and saying that Sheeran was his friend who'd been put 'in a ****** up position' where his 'typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before'.

The rapper and DJ said he understood by people didn't take sides, but added there was 'no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed' and that 'refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle'.

Now Sheeran has responded with a statement of his own, saying on Instagram: "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.

"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.

"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.

"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.

"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 am not complicit"

Sheeran went on to say he had used his platform 'to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together', adding that he was 'not complicit' and had his 'personal views on this devastating conflict'.

The musician wrote that while he had chosen not to make those views public, they did exist and 'it doesn't mean I don't care' or supported causes.

Sheeran continued his statement by saying he doesn't use his professional platform for politics because 'my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds', but he does 'respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes'.

He said: "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.

"I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too."

Macklemore accused of 'hate speech'

Many have slammed Macklemore following his speech. Fellow musician P!nk shared a post calling for him to be removed from Sheeran's tour.

She went on to say in an Instagram statement: "He stood in front of a stadium full of music-loving families, with violent images from a war on the screens, dedicated a song to the movement of his choice, and then took the mic to tell all of the Jews in the stadium that it wasn’t about them. You don’t get to decide that for us."

Meanwhile, Robert Kraft, who banned Macklemore from performing with Sheeran at the Gilette Stadium in Massachusetts, which he owns, said the venue would not 'provide a platform for hate speech'.

He added: "I agree with Macklemore, too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate."

On the other hand, a number of well-known musicians offered messages of support to Macklemore, including Paloma Faith, CMAT and Kneecap.

UNRWA, a United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees, wrote on Instagram: "We are grateful to Macklemore for continuing to use his platform to speak up for and generously support Palestine refugees and their humanity.

"At a time when Palestinian voices and stories too often go unheard, we have the outmost respect for those who help keep the world’s attention on the people of Gaza.

"We stand with everyone who believes Palestine refugees deserve dignity, safety, and a future."