Kicked out for shouting “Free Palestine”: Ed Sheeran is getting lonely

ap | After the US rapper Macklemore was removed from the supporting program for the tour of the British pop star Ed Sheeran (35), all other supporting acts are now also canceling. Sheeran said on Instagram that Macklemore's exclusion because of pro-Palestinian statements at a concert in the US state of New Jersey was a sole decision of the organizers. Just a few hours later, the Irish musicians Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham and the US artist Finneas - brother of superstar Billie Eilish - announced that they would also be foregoing their performances in solidarity with Macklemore.

Macklemore was originally scheduled to perform at eight of the ten remaining concerts on Sheeran's US stadium tour. Rowe was scheduled to be one of Macklemore's replacement acts on the remaining US dates. Beoga acted as the British singer's touring band. Finneas was due to accompany Sheeran on his South American tour later in the year.

Rowe and Beoga referred to the history of their home country in their statements. “We are Irish who understand colonialism,” Beoga wrote. As founding members of the “Irish Artists for Palestine” movement, they are committed to fighting for justice.

Rowe described Sheeran as a friend who changed his life. “But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” he explained. He cannot stand idly by as billionaires use their position of power “to silence the legitimate voices of those who speak out.”

Finneas stated: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” He stands “on the side of Palestine and its people”. Inquiries from the AP news agency to Sheeran and the Danish band Lukas Graham, who were also slated to replace Macklemore, initially went unanswered.

Lukas Graham expressed his gratitude to Sheeran. The band spoke of a “difficult decision”. “Money doesn’t give you the right to dictate the debate,” the band wrote. A person's bank balance should not determine who is allowed to speak or what suffering is acknowledged. The statement appeared to refer to billionaire Robert Kraft's role in Macklemore's expulsion.

Sheeran wrote in his Instagram post on Tuesday that several venues where the remaining concerts were scheduled to take place had informed him that they would cancel the dates if Macklemore continued to be part of the tour.

This was justified by how the rapper expressed his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Gaza war. The decision that Macklemore could not be part of the further tour was made solely by the organizers.

Macklemore had a contract with the tour organizer - not with himself, wrote Sheeran. He himself tried throughout the week to build a bridge in discussions with the performance venues, activists on both sides and other responsible parties. One of the people he spoke to was Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots football team. His group of companies also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play. One of the tour's concerts is scheduled to take place there on September 26th.

Sheeran said he tried to find a mutually acceptable solution. The organizers' decision was final. “I would never let down the fans who had already made plans, nor would I let down the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who depend on me for work and a living.”

Sheeran wrote that he tries to bring people of different origins and cultures together with his music. He has personal views on the devastating conflict, but does not want to comment publicly because visitors to his concerts do not expect a political forum. He respects Macklemore's determination to publicly stand up for his beliefs. But there are different paths to the same goal, which is peace.

Macklemore said Monday that he had been removed from Sheeran's Loop Tour after singing "Free Palestine!" at a Sept. 5 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. had called. The rapper had announced his protest song “Hind's Hall”.

Addressing his Jewish listeners at the concert, Macklemore said that criticism of Israel, apartheid or the accusation of genocide were in no way directed against them. According to Macklemore, several US venues subsequently informed the tour organizer that they would prohibit him from appearing in Sheeran's opening act. The rapper blamed strength primarily for this.

The billionaire himself said on Monday that the decision not to let Macklemore appear was a result of his recent comments as well as a "broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery." From his company's perspective, this is deeply hurtful and insulting to Jews.

Tour operator Messina Touring Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Macklemore's management initially did not comment either.