Ed Sheeran addressed for the first time Tuesday the decision to remove Macklemore from his U.S. tour after the rapper delivered a sharply political speech and called to “Free Palestine” during his opening performances in New Jersey earlier this month.
“I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” Sheeran wrote in a statement posted on social media. “The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated. Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist. As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing.
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Ed Sheeran: 'appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine'
(Photo: John Minchillo/AP)
“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. One of those people was Robert Kraftת” the owner of the New England Patriots. “ 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."
Sheeran added that the decision for Macklemore to leave the tour was made by the promoters, not by him. “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 have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won't ever change. Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. 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. Nor does it mean I don't support causes in my own, personal way.
"There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics - my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. 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. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for 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," he concluded.
Macklemore: 'Free Palestine'
(Photo:: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Sheeran’s statement comes after Macklemore’s politically charged performance on September 4 prompted a petition calling on Sheeran to remove him from the remaining tour dates. “This was an Ed Sheeran concert — not a political rally, not a protest and not an activist event,” the petition said. “The question is not whether Macklemore has the right to hold political views. The question is where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert stage to advance a one-sided political agenda.”
During his performances on Sheeran’s tour earlier this month, Macklemore told the crowd: “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. I want those words to be heard loud and clear, so that people from Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.”
The rapper then performed his song “Hind’s Hall” as images of destruction in Gaza were shown on the stadium screens. The song is about pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied a building at Columbia University following the killing of Hind Rajab. Macklemore’s speech went viral on social media and generated another wave of headlines after singer Pink reshared a call to remove him from Sheeran’s tour.
Robert Kraft
(Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP)
Following the incident, Macklemore was dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour. Messina Touring Group, which promotes the U.S. leg of the tour, said in a statement to Rolling Stone: “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. This would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans. After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
The rapper had been scheduled to appear at eight of the 10 remaining shows on Sheeran’s stadium tour, which resumes September 19 in Philadelphia. Macklemore responded at length in an Instagram post in which he appeared to place responsibility for his removal on Robert Kraft while once again condemning Israel. According to Macklemore, the billionaire recruited other stadium owners to refuse to allow him to perform at their venues, rather than blaming Sheeran or Pink, who later addressed the controversy.