It’s not just Ed Sheeran’s family who have distanced themselves from the singing superstar, there are a number within the music industry who turned their backs too
When Ed Sheeran spoke in Philadelphia this weekend to address the Macklemore-Palestine row he claimed he had been abandoned by friends, as well as family as he confided in pals: “I feel so alone.”
The singing star sobbed on stage during his show on Saturday night as he opened up about how he had been impacted by the fall out. Towards the end of his set, the star decided the time was right and sat cross-legged on stage as he grew visibly emotional.
He thanked the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field for not deserting him like others have and while there are plenty of big names willing to stay by his side, we have already seen a number of musicians distanced themselves from the singing star.
Getting emotional, the 35-year-old said he felt “so much love” from the audience. “Everyone is telling me to cancel, and I’m feeling all of my friends and family and people I know abandon me, and I look at the end of the week, and I see 50,000 people who haven’t abandoned,” he said.
“I am honestly so grateful that you’re here tonight with me. I really didn’t know whether this tour would be carrying on. I really didn’t know whether I’d be even getting on stage again, whether I even wanted to be an artist at all.
“In these situations, you really find out who your friends are, and it’s been a weird week. I just feel like it happened very quickly.”
His fans attending his Loop Tour remain by Ed’s side, but there are some within music who have turned their backs on him.
There could be no going back on his friendship with Macklemore, whose “Free Palestine” statement on stage kicked off the mega political row.
Macklemore received support from Zara Larsson for taking a stand, saying it was “so powerful” to see people stand together.
Paloma Faith criticised Ed for staying out of the Gaza debate, saying major worldwide artists cannot remain silent on huge political issues.
She did not agree with Ed’s reluctance to comment on the conflict because his audience includes “young people, often children, of all backgrounds” and his fellow Brit said: “When he said that, it really upset me because there are so many children in Palestine who are faced with unimaginable things and shouldn’t be. I say ‘free Palestine’ to my children every night. I think children should be exposed to politics.”
Kneecap, the Irish hip-hop trio from Belfast, also backed Macklemore, with Roger Waters, The Pink Floyd co-founder, also saying: “There’s two kinds of people in this world, Ed. There’s people who do the right thing. That rapper Macklemore would be one of those people,” he said, adding: “And there’s people, many of them sadly little, excuse me, p***** like you who do the wrong thing. Goodbye.”
The fall out didn’t stop there. Four of his support acts, including his touring band across the North and South American leg of his tour, also quickly cut ties in solidarity with the axed US rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty.
Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Lukas Graham, and Finneas all issued statements, confirming they had withdrawn from the tour. Rowe and Lukas Graham would have been replacements for Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga was serving as Sheeran’s touring band.
Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Rowe and Beoga each cited their country’s history in their statements explaining their decision. “We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be,” Beoga said.
Rowe called Sheeran a friend and said the British singer-songwriter changed his life, but said he couldn’t stand with people who are being silent over the ongoing conflict.
It’s not just music pals who have made big statements.
His cousin, the British musician Jethro Sheeran, has publicly condemned the hitmaker after he broke his silence over the fall-out this weekend.
Jethro, the son of John Sheeran, Ed’s father’s brother, has hit out and accused him of behaving selfishly toward both his own family and his fellow artists.
“He is shady and he’s dropped Macklemore himself I believe 100% he’s a coward. In my opinion, he’s a bad human. Just my opinion from my experiences. I’ve known him all my life and started him in music, took him on my stage,” he added. “Took him to my first studio, rapped on his early songs, and did all I could to help him.”
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