Ed Sheeran Should Have Never Booked Macklemore to Begin With
Pop star Ed Sheeran has really been going through it. One of the opening acts on his current U.S. tour uncorked a political rant during a recent show in New Jersey, sparking a firestorm that has raged for days. Macklemore, who was once a star, told the crowd, “I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon, I say free Cuba, I say free Congo, free Sudan, free all people in America living in fear over this terrorist organization, ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.”
TL;DR
- Macklemore, an opening act on Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour, delivered a political speech that included calls for a "free Palestine" and criticism of ICE.
- The speech sparked controversy, leading to Macklemore's removal from the tour by the promoter, not Sheeran.
- Sheeran stated his intention to keep his concerts apolitical, focusing on unity and escapism, and clarified that he would not let down fans or the touring crew.
- Sheeran later addressed the conflict more directly, acknowledging the "horrific" events of Oct. 7 in Israel and calling the situation in Gaza "catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate."
- The article criticizes Macklemore's past actions, including alleged anti-Semitic behavior and conspiracy theories, suggesting Sheeran should have vetted him more carefully.
- The author argues that mainstream audiences prefer entertainers to focus on entertainment rather than politics.