Crisis on Ed Sheeran's tour after Macklemore's exclusion

Ed Sheeran's US tour has been disrupted by a series of withdrawals from supporting artists. The crisis erupted after the exclusion of rapper Macklemore, who was suspended from the tour for expressing support for Palestine during a concert at MetLife Stadium on September 4. According to Macklemore, the decision was made following pressure from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who allegedly threatened to deny the use of Gillette Stadium.

Ed Sheeran posted a message on Instagram attributing the choice to the promoter and stating that he did not want to enter the debate on the war in Gaza, justifying the exclusion with the need to protect fans and staff. Shortly after, Finneas (Billie Eilish's brother), Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk group Beoga announced their withdrawal from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

The incident originates from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a long-standing historical dispute that has seen Israel and the Palestinians confronting each other over territories and rights for decades. The expression of positions on this issue by international artists often generates polarized reactions. Macklemore, an American rapper known for hit songs like "Thrift Shop," during a concert in New Jersey displayed images and made statements in support of Palestine, describing his performance as a call for a "free Palestine."

This stance triggered a chain of events involving the entertainment world and its connections with politics. The promoter's reaction, presumably influenced by external pressures such as those attributed to Robert Kraft (an entrepreneur and sports team owner), led to the artist's exclusion. The withdrawal of other musicians transformed the episode from a simple lineup change into a broader debate about freedom of expression at major events, with figures like Roger Waters and Greta Thunberg publicly criticizing the decision.