Sheeran Says Macklemore Tour Exit Was Promoter's Call, Not His

Ed Sheeran has addressed the removal of Macklemore from his stadium tour, stating that the decision belonged to the promoter rather than to him. In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, the British singer wrote that Macklemore's departure from the Loop Tour was not his call, adding that he would not let down fans who had already made plans or abandon the touring crew and other support acts who depend on the work.

The promoter, the Messina Touring Group, did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment on Tuesday. Macklemore's publicist also did not immediately respond.

Sheeran's remarks followed Macklemore's statement a day earlier that he had been removed from the tour after exclaiming "Free Palestine!" during a Sept. 5 show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey while introducing his protest song "Hind's Hall." At that concert, Macklemore told his Jewish fans that criticism of Israel, of apartheid and of what he called genocide was in no way a criticism of them.

Macklemore said on Instagram on Monday that several U.S. venues had told the promoter they would not allow him to perform as Sheeran's opening act, and that the effort was rallied by Robert Kraft, owner of the NFL's New England Patriots. Kraft's group also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play. In a statement on Monday, Kraft said the decision to cancel Macklemore stemmed from his recent comments and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he said has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.

Sheeran said in his post that he had spoken with the venues at length throughout the week to try to build a bridge, but that the venues' and promoter's decision was final. He said he tries to use his music to bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together, and that while he holds personal views about what he called this devastating conflict, he chooses not to speak publicly because audiences at his shows do not expect a political forum. He added that he is not complicit.

Sheeran also said he respects Macklemore's strength of purpose in standing up for what he believes, but that there is room for multiple approaches to the same end of peace. He said he chooses to use his fame and platform as a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open rather than closed.

A growing chorus of organizations and experts say Israel's wartime actions in Gaza amount to genocide, an accusation Israel vehemently rejects.

Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at eight of the 10 shows remaining on Sheeran's stadium tour, which resumes Saturday in Philadelphia. Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe are now on the bill. Upcoming stops include Gillette Stadium, Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.