The move has sparked outrage amongst artists and music lovers alike, with plenty of Irish celebrities speaking out against Ed's decision, including Kneecap, Liam Cunningham, Lola Petticrew, Imelda May and Kathryn Thomas.
Several Irish acts have also pulled out of appearing on Ed's Loop tour, including Dubliner Aaron Rowe, Kerry folk band Beoga and Billie Eilish's Irish-American brother Finneas. So, what do we know about the controversy...
Macklemore's Hinds Hall performance
Macklemore shocked fans on Monday when he revealed he had been removed from the American leg of Ed Sheeran's tour.
The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, has long been outspoken about the suffering of people living in the West Bank and Gaza.
Macklemore.
On September 4, he performed at Ed Sheeran's concert at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, calling for a Free Palestine, while showing images of victims of the violence on the screen behind him.
Macklemore also performed his song Hind's Hall, which is dedicated to pro-Palestinian protestors at Columbia University and condemns Israel's military action in Gaza. The hall was temporarily named after Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli military fire in Gaza City on January 29, 2024.
The move received mixed reactions online, with singer Pink criticizing Macklemore for showing images of the suffering.
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Macklemore's statement
On Monday, Macklemore told fans he had been removed from the tour, saying the boycott had been organized by billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
The businessman, who previously hired Ed Sheeran to play at his wedding, confirmed he'd decided to bar Macklemore, saying his venue would not "provide a platform for hate speech," accusing the rapper of "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric".
Macklemore urged fans not to blame Ed, saying that he has a close friendship with the singer and they had a week of difficult conversations before they concluded that the rapper would no longer tour with the British hitmaker.
"Ed was in a f***** up position. He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before. He told me that the words 'Free Palestine' and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,"£ he said.
'I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood,' he penned.
While it has been alleged that Kraft liaised with fellow US stadium owners to get Macklemore banned, this hasn't been confirmed. However, tour promoter Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone magazine that venues told them they would not allow Macklemore to perform.
Ed Sheeran statement
Ed Sheeran then made a statement, stressing that it was not his decision to remove Macklemore from his show. "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," he wrote.
The A Team singer said he had spoken with the venues "at length all week to try and build a bridge" to no avail. He went on to comment on his apolitical stance, which Macklemore highlighted in his own statement.
The dad-of-two said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine' and that the 'suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy." He attempted to explain why he doesn't take a public stance on the situation in Palestine, which the UN has dubbed a "humanitarian crisis."
"I am not complicit," he wrote. "I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly 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."
He continued: "There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics - my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds."
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All of the support acts drop out
The four fellow support acts on Ed Sheeran's tour have dropped out in solidarity with Macklemore, with many calling for free speech.
Dubliner Aaron Rowe was the first to pull the plug. While he thanked Ed for "changing his life" with the platform he gave him, the Hey Ma singer explained he "cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children".
He added: "I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal."
Kerry-based folk band Beoga released a statement soon after, saying Macklemore had been "silenced".
Aaron Rowe.
"We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size, and that opportunity is not lost on us," they penned. "But to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us."
Billie Eilish's older brother Finneas was also set to be part of the tour, said: "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people."
Meanwhile, Danish singer Lukas Graham also stepped away from Ed's tour, saying: "We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them."
Irish reaction
Famous Irish faces were quick to support Macklemore and the acts pulling out in solidarity. Leading the way were outspoken advocates of a Free Palestine, Kneecap, who shared a snap with the rapper.
Nell Mescal took to the Thrift Shop singer's comment section to say: "Free Palestine," while Lola Petticrew penned: "Love and solidarity."
"God bless you," Imelda May told Aaron Rowe after he revealed his decision, while Carl Mullan dubbed him a "legend." Dermot Bannon and Louise Cooney left a string of supportive emojis below the post.
Chris O'Dowd left a heart below Beoga's statement. Big international names like Zara Larsson, Sam Fender, and Greta Thunberg also showed support for the artists.
* This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.
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