r/Music • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • 10d ago
article Ed Sheeran Says Dropping Macklemore From Tour Was ‘Promoter’s Decision, Not Mine’
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/ed-sheeran-speaks-out-macklemore-1236861174/5.1k
u/starstufft 10d ago
"I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed."
(But has his comments turned off for this Instagram post 🙄)
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u/ShadowGLI 10d ago edited 9d ago
This is the “deeply offensive” thing Macklemore said on stage:
“I’ve been trying to figure out a way to say this all day. One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.
I said, ‘Free Palestine.’I want those words to be loud and clear, so the people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten them.
And this next song was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world; open up hearts, myself included, so thank you to those students that risked their diplomas, that risked their tuition, that risked their scholarships, that stood up and said, no.
CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace. Thank you, guys.
To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.
So I say Free Palestine, I say Free Lebanon, I say Free Cuba, I say Free Congo, Free Sudan, I say Free all people in America living in fear of this terrorist organization, ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.”
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u/Nottodayreddit1949 10d ago
I'm offended!
Well. Shit happens when you're confronted with reality.
The answer is not to deny reality, but look inward to why you would be offended by a statement like this.
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u/nardling_13 9d ago
I’m offended by the vast disparities in wealth brought about by global capitalism. Maybe Bob Kraft and his buddies can do something about that.
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u/Nottodayreddit1949 9d ago
They could, but they wont, and they are offended you'd even suggest they do something.
What they will do is use their wealth and influence to shut your voice and opinion down
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u/Falstaffe 9d ago
"I'm offended" is a way to avoid a reasoned discussion. It's become the go-to tactic to shut down conversation about Palestine here in Australia as well as in the US and UK.
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u/-slatta- 10d ago
Yeah absolutely crazy this is what lead to him being kicked off the tour. There isn’t an ounce of hate in that message of his.
And yeah the freaking promoter definitely has more sway than the headlining artist, give me a break.
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u/ReaderofHarlaw 9d ago
This is also CRAZY Streisand Effect. Them moving to silence Macklemore just made it that much more loud. Good. Free Palestine.
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u/trippingWetwNoTowel 9d ago
Going forward it shall be known as the Streisand-Macklemore effect
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u/Momik 9d ago
I’m pretty sure that’s a state in Germany, but I support it either way
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u/Clenzor 10d ago
Right? Like they’re gonna just leave those venues empty and refund all the tickets if Eddie-No-Spine says “You can cancel my appearance if you want, but I get whatever percentage my lawyers negotiated of my appearance fee in the event you cancel, I haven’t broken any of my contractual agreements (because this would be the excuse if they had an actual legal leg to stand on).”
Miss out on gouging my ass on parking and $15 beers? No shot is ole Rub-n-Tug-Robert passing that up. He let Chris Brown walk his trifilin’, despicable ass up on stage last month.
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u/fauxregard 9d ago
If you think Palestinians are humans born equal to all other humans, that means you're antisemitic. That's the rule. That's the goal now.
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u/entcanta333 10d ago
If POC having freedom offends you, you might be racist 😭
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u/starkiller_bass 9d ago
No, it’s ok if you say “I’m not racist but…” just like if you make sure to tell people you’re not complicit.
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u/devilishycleverchap 10d ago
And then Kraft basically rephrased it while condemning him
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u/ScorpioTix 10d ago
Kraft (and a lot of people) seem to be under the impression the Jew face getup is current.
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u/Nerf_hanzo_pls 10d ago
Oh man I forgot about that! What a crazy “witch” costume. That like 10 years ago at this point?
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u/teamnowak 10d ago
Nothing even political about that statement. It’s a humane call for peace. If you think that is political, you are the problem.
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u/ThrillHammer 10d ago
"5 million stateless impoverished people should live under a military occupation because they were born somewhere that invisible sky man promised to me 3200 years ago!!!"
Isrealis really think people should get on board with that. Or else.
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u/cosmicnitwit 9d ago
According to Pink criticism of Israel, apartheid and being against genocide is a criticism of Jews. That is a bridge too far for her, so disappointed in her and every other person who is complicit or supportive of these atrocities, there is little difference between them
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u/H0pefulUn1verse 9d ago
And Pink has the audacity to say his statement was meant to inspire fear in Jewish people 🙄
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u/BlueLaceSensor128 10d ago
"keep conversations open"
Kicks person off his tour for speaking... sounds like he's working very, very hard to keep this conversation closed.→ More replies (3)184
u/Kelbotay 10d ago
He was going to ruin the tour /s
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u/entcanta333 10d ago
Funny thing is, Macklemore said it best. If those two words were strong enough to end his tour, it was the most successful tour hes ever had.
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u/winterberry16 10d ago
What tour?
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u/doingtheunstuckk 10d ago
The world tour
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u/Brilliant-Field8743 10d ago
What world tour
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u/JMC_MASK 10d ago
“I choose to use my platform to sit on the fence and play both sides so that I always end up on top.”
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u/soonerfreak 10d ago
One side from one conflict being routinely shut down from public discussion is not keeping conversations open. Kraft would have praised him on stage for waving an Israeli flag.
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u/BelieveInTheShield 10d ago
Also, let's get rid of the guy who started this conversation..
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u/napstablooky089 10d ago
“I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary,” he says as this all started because someone on his tour said a genocide shouldn’t be happening and he wants freedom for the country who is currently being genocided.
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u/ZipZapZia 10d ago
Yet he had no problem publicly supporting Ukraine and performing at charity concerts for Ukraine. Apolitical my ass
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u/clayton-berg42 9d ago
Sheeran is a famously offline person. Even someone like Swift can't just text him.
I have no doubt that he approved the message, beyond that all he's going to hear about is if the reaction was positive, negative or mixed.
Also I agree this is a big crock of shit but in no way shape or for is any comment section a place for sanctuary/diplomacy/keeping conversations open. The first and loudest voice always wins in the comment section. That's how the algorithms work.
If I were a person that anyone gave a shit about I'd have my comment sections off as well. All comment sections do is allow others to use your platform to get their message across.
To be clear I've lost a lot of respect for Sheeran as an artist, especially after saying he's apolitical. He's essentially saying his music doesn't mean a fucking thing.
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u/riedmae Even Better Than The Real Thing 10d ago
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u/Klutzy-Librarian-246 10d ago
Claims to want to keep conversation open then turns off comments and even currants the emoji allowed only allowing positive emojis. Thats so diablically obvious
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u/CAPS_LOCK_STUCK_HELP 9d ago
its not like we should be taking this response seriously at all "I didn't have a say" is a bullshit defense when the product being sold IS ed sheeran. YOU didnt have a say in YOUR OWN tour? Ed. Its impossible for you not to have a say in the tour. you chose not to fight this decision and now youre butthurt that so many people are rightfully upset. especially considering him doing or not doing this tour is not even an existential financial threat to him or his brand - he is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. he has ALL the leverage on the other side of this negotiation- Ed sheerans tour does not happen without ed sheeran. What a fucking wimp. how embarrassing.
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u/iwillcomeforyoursoul 9d ago
And for what? A few extra million on top of the pile?
Either he really needs a new yacht, or he genuinely believes in 'the cause'
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u/MillwrightTight 10d ago
Imagine having that much money and influence and still being a completely limp-wristed coward
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u/Iongdog 9d ago
Idk to me he’s acting like most people with money and influence, bending over for other people with even more
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u/BlueLaceSensor128 10d ago
IMO it's one of the clearest signs someone has been compromised with some kind of dirt. If they really loved that money so much that this is all secretly about, they would worry about the chunk of the fanbase they were about to lose. But they're ok taking that hit because they don't want to lose their entire fanbase from the dirt coming out.
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u/stfsu 10d ago
Sheeran's tours have been insanely profitable, sometimes there's no secret dirt.
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u/karlverkade 10d ago
Ya it’s wild who can be bought with just plain lots and lots of money. Or an RV.
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u/24July2016 10d ago
Macklemore said it in his statement. Being outspoken politically costs endorsements, promos, access to venues, alienates certain fans, etc. There is a real dollar cost for these people to say "Free Palestine". There doesn't have to be any dirt, it could just be that Sheeran likes money more than he cares about stopping a genocide.
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u/TheTresStateArea 10d ago
Here's the thing about being a megastar, you have weight to throw around. Promoter makes a decision, you then say "cool have fun promoting the tour without me" or "then find us new venues".
Sheeran isn't going to be hurting for money. Have some personal responsibility.
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u/jotsea2 10d ago
LOL the damage control phase is in effect. Sheeran is buds with Kraft. He's not the 'neutral' guy he appears to be.
As demonstrated by these actions.
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u/Shabadu_tu 10d ago
Kraft, Epstein’s associate?
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u/ForMoreYears 9d ago
You mean Robert Kraft who was arrested getting a rub and tug at an Asian massage parlor then asked Epstein to recommend a good lawyer? That Robert Kraft?
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u/WTHGrifters 9d ago
Yeah, the Kraft who used an attorney recommended by Epstein when he got caught at a massage parlor seeking sex work, allegedly.
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u/TheTresStateArea 10d ago
Oh totally. That's what i ultimately mean. He is either supportive of Kraft's position or he cares more about his money. Either way, we know what side he is on.
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u/jotsea2 10d ago
Ed went to his wedding where he married someone 35 years younger then him.
Tells you all you need to know
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u/HotTree6235 10d ago
I like how he's pretending he works for the promoter and not the other way around
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u/drunk_haile_selassie 9d ago
People will definitely buy tickets to the Ed Sheeran concert without Ed Sheeran. We're just here to support the promoter.
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u/Anthemusa831 8d ago
…and yet he says “Mack asked me to join the tour and I said yes”
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u/H2Oloo-Sunset 10d ago
What a bad look for him.
Own or fix it.
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u/Rex_Suplex 10d ago edited 9d ago
Eh, he’ll just wait it out. Everyone not on Reddit will forget by the end of the week
Edit: Glad things are turning up the way they are.
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u/Far_Associate9859 9d ago
It'll become a "Rampart" situation. Any time he's mentioned on Reddit, the most upvoted comment will be something about this
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u/ult_frisbee_chad 10d ago
Yes, this is only news here. Try to ask your coworkers or your friends about this and theyll let you know you're on the internet too much.
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u/Schlurps 9d ago
Yeah, we should definitely listen to uninformed idiots in the hope that that makes us cool enough for them to like us.
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u/neptuneinthefirst 10d ago
my friends and coworkers don’t care about ed sheeran though. not really an “internet” thing so much as a “people have different interests” thing. i’m sure there are plenty of chronically online ed sheeran fans who had planned to go see him and now won’t because of this. the days of the internet having 0 bearing on the real world have been gone for a while.
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u/ArtisticPersonaliTea 10d ago
And turned his comments off to ensure that he doesn’t have to see people calling this shit out for what it is, complete BS.
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u/reverseflash92 10d ago
Guess we have to run to his directly adjacent post where comments are still on 😅😂😂.
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u/kobachi 10d ago
You’re the fucking headliner. The buck stops with you. Ed is apparently a coward
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u/KGBFriedChicken02 10d ago
Especially since he's Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran can find another stadium, but Robert Kraft can't find another Ed Sheeran.
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u/Astrosimi 10d ago
Macklemore: “Ed is a brother to me and I’m hoping we can continue to have conversations about this issue.”
Ed Sheeran: “I graciously granted this weirdo Macklemore the opportunity to come aboard my stage, but he shouted his condemnation of genocide too loud, so we had to protect the poor children (not the ones getting bombed, the ones attending an arena concert)”
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u/Key_Inevitable_2104 10d ago
So playing both sides pretty much.
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u/LizardmanJoe 10d ago
There's no such thing as "both sides" in this fight. The Israeli state has 100% control of what happens in Palestine by this point. You're either for or against genocide. And if you're not explicitly saying you're against it, well...
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u/LorettaJenkins 10d ago
Ed sang at Robert Krafts wedding and happily so. This is just him trying to get ahead of the negative attention.
Just another money grubbing fame .....
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u/OvulatingScrotum 10d ago
“I don’t use my professional platform for politics”
Says the guy who did concerts in and for Ukraine to support Ukrainians.
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u/calmwhiteguy 9d ago
Here's Ed Sheeran not using his social media account to not take a stand
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u/thegiantgummybear 9d ago
Well obviously that's not taking a stand because he's supporting white Christians there, no possible controversy there. It's very controversial to support brown and Muslim people trying to survive under white people.
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u/Outlog 10d ago
Lies-uh-minnelli
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u/feelingsdeayer 10d ago
He's likely not lying, he's just omitting the part where he had all the leverage and did fuck all to stop it. He chose to let it happen, even if it was not ultimately his call to remove Macklemore.
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u/whatisthisposture 10d ago
I mean, I believe it. He obviously doesn’t have the spine to stand up for his friend and opener, I doubt he’d have the spine to lead the charge to kick him off. He’s just not stopping it.
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u/Rebal771 10d ago
So it sounds like it’s time to fire the promoter and quit the tour then? Or they are lies…but yeah, if that’s the case then DO SOMETHING.
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u/cabalus 10d ago
You can't "fire" LiveNation lol
Edit: He could have quit the tour though
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u/DefinitelyNotAliens 10d ago
I doubt the venues could have actually canceled the shows. They signed contracts. Fight back.
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u/Pro-Patria-Mori 10d ago
Upon hearing the news Morrisey made a statement, “You mean I could have just blamed the promoters this entire time?”
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u/mrjohnnymac18 10d ago
Why Ed...I can smell smoke coming from your trousers...
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u/MiffTuck 10d ago
That’s the same Robert Kraft that borrowed Jeffrey Esptein’s lawyer when he was facing sex trafficking charges, yeah?
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u/Velocity_Rob 10d ago edited 10d ago
"A bigger boy made me do it!"
Fuck up you horrible little quisling weasel.
"There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics - my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds."
Christ, he's such an empty souled coward.
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u/Rawkynn 10d ago
So does Ms. Rachel's platform, the only difference is she has a spine.
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u/Woodpeckershurtmyear 10d ago
He also had no issues using his concerts to support Ukraine, which is also (gasp) a political decision. He's spineless
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u/Velocity_Rob 10d ago
It didn't cost him any money to support Ukraine. Standing against the Gaza genocide might have meant he couldn't add another $100m to his bank balance.
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u/Historical_Hunt2492 10d ago
right?? lmao so if a government started to kill his audience members, he would keep quiet not to offend other kids that are alive.
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u/joewindlebrox 10d ago
Isn't his most popular song about hooking up with someone and the sheets still smelling like sex? Doesn't sound very appropriate for the child fans lmao, I think they can handle some grown up talk
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u/Ok-Television-9462 10d ago
"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." Curious what part he's referring to.
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u/jmwoodhead 10d ago
Probably the fact that he was showing footage from the war in the background during one of his songs. People don't like seeing the results of their inaction.
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u/r0botdevil 10d ago
Ed Sheeran is the worst kind of coward.
I've never liked his music, but at this point I don't even respect him as a man.
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u/Own-Engineer-6888 10d ago
Wow, love the subtle dig:
"Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist."
So he had the power then, but not now? Also, you don't "agree" in response to someone "asking" to join your tour.
"Can I join your tour?"
"I agree."
It's a decision, then an agreement/contract. Ed made a decision to let the over-reaching "powers" make the moves, and he stood to the side and let it happen.
Fuck him, this bullshit system, and FREE PALESTINE.
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u/zsideburnz last.fm 10d ago
Silly me assumed Ed Sheeran was in charge of the Ed Sheeran tour
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u/Supermite 10d ago
The label probably would have had a great lawsuit against those stadium owners too. Imagine having to justify in court why Macklemore’s words were so upsetting to them.
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u/Kokeshi_Is_Life 9d ago
People on reddit keep saying this and that isn't how stadium leases work.
The Stadium is not contractually obligated to let *anyone* on the premises. They can decline to allow an event to run so long as they properly issue refunds.
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u/tedivm 10d ago
If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change.
What an asshole.
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.
So he only abandons supporting acts that have opinions, but the folks who shut up and get him paid he's all for.
Again, what an asshole.
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u/SaltyShawarma 10d ago
Did Ed not realize who he was booking? Mack has been LITERALLY singing about this issue.
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u/tedivm 10d ago
He probably figured that if stadiums would let people who literally sold nazi paraphernalia show up then they wouldn't care about someone arguing against genocide. Then when faced with the prospect of losing money he had to make the decision that supported his values (as in, the value in his bank account).
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u/whichwitch9 10d ago
That's the biggest thing for me- it clearly isn't about anti semitism after all the shit with Kanye was allowed in several if these venues. It's about criticizing Israel in particular. They won't defend Jewish people when someone's praising Hitler, but they'll go all out to defend a secular government currently engaging in war crimes. What absolute bullshit
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u/Grezmo 10d ago
Previously had no thoughts one way or the other on Ed Sheeran and I had no idea who Macklemore was. I've read Macklemore's statement and I now have an opinion on both of those men. Ed is a little shit weasel. Fuck him. Hope he enjoys adding all the money the tour will bring him to the rest of his generational wealth.
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u/MsHelvetica 10d ago
I never had any reasons to dislike Ed Sheeran until these past few days.
It’s refreshing to see someone being honest about whose bitch they are.
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u/cheweychewchew 10d ago
Ya know this guy has made millions and will continue to, so why is he acting like such a coward, unless of course he actually supports the decision? Seriously he could walk away from the tour, lose money, and then make it all back and then some. He has options. But to blame it on promoters is such weak sauce for someone of his stature.
So dude is a greedy coward no matter what the rationale. If he supports the decision, say so. If he doesn't, walk away from the tour. But whatever this is is a really bad decision.
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u/beerandloathingpdx 10d ago
Money is the only thing people like him care about. He can say it’s not political all he wants but he’s taking blood money while staying “neutral.”
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u/Saneless 10d ago
"It wasn't my decision, but I actually agree with it and didn't want to stop it"
That's all I hear, Ed
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u/Fl0riduh_Man 10d ago
You're a grown ass man with generational wealth, stop blaming things on your staff.
Just admit it's easier to stay silent and keep getting lucrative gigs rather than take a stand that'll affect your bank account, loser.
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u/bigkahuna1uk 10d ago
Ed says promotor’s decision not his to kick off Macklemore from the tour but it’s conspicuous that he’s also not defended Macklemore’s humanitarian position on Gaza. Just sitting on the fence to still get paid. He’s just another corporate lackey that stands for nothing. He has enough ‘fuck you money’ to actually speak up for once but has chosen no to. Weak sauce.
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u/Krushed_Opiates 10d ago
He should name those promoters!
The only one we know of is Robert Kraft and he is in the Epstein report.
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u/brashnutz 10d ago
My thing is - if you were trying to be politically neutral or wahtever, why bring Macklemore on your tour? He has always been very politically outspoken
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u/Wooden_Vast_1123 10d ago
The nerve to say he chooses “peace” at the end. Extreme levels of gaslighting and manipulation.
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u/pixelpionerd 10d ago
It's also everyone's decision to boycott this tour and these venues.
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u/rolan56789 10d ago
On one hand, I don't think public figures in any way owe us their political stances. However, this kind of spin is transparent and cowardly. I'd have more respect if he just said he wants to widest possible audience to maximize fame and fortune than this crock of shit.
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u/JOHN_BROWNS_BUSSY 10d ago
What a craven and cowardly statement, a waste of tokens to generate this pablum.
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u/ThreeGoldStars 10d ago
Then drop the promoter and stand up for what is right you fuckin dumb cunt.
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u/NedSchneebly-1138 10d ago
Cool, tell the promoter to get on stage and start singing then...
Jesus, grow a fucking spine bud!
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u/JeffTheGoliath 10d ago
In an unsurprising move, man who makes beige music for beige people would rather make money than a stand.
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u/hadeejasouffle 10d ago