Ed Sheeran has broken his silence on the fallout from Macklemore’s pro-Palestine on-stage statement.
The singer distanced himself from the decision to axe the rapper from his tour, blaming “the venue and promoter” for the move.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Ed, 35, wrote. “Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was removed as Ed’s tour opener after making a pro-Palestine statement on stage at their New Jersey show on 4 September.
As Ed’s entire roster of supporting acts – American singer Finneas, Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga and Danish pop act Lukas Graham – withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, the Shape of You singer insisted he had no control over the decision to cut the rapper from the roster.
“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,” Ed, 35, wrote.
“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.”
While Ed said he tried to reach a compromise, “the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final”.
The singer’s statement directly contradicted claims by Macklemore that he had been responsible for the cut.
“Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from the Loop Tour,” the 43-year-old Grammy winner wrote in a statement published to his Instagram account on 14 September.
Ed’s statement also stated he wanted his fans to enjoy concerts without controversies as “those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum”.
“I am not complicit,” he added. “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.”
