Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has criticised Ed Sheeran over the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s “Loop Tour”.
Waters, a longtime public supporter of Palestine, shared a video in which he divided people into two categories, praising Macklemore before turning his attention to Sheeran.
“There are two kinds of people in this world,” Waters said. He described Macklemore as someone who “does the right thing” before referring to people who “do the wrong thing” and ending his message with “Goodbye”.
Waters’ comments came after Macklemore was removed from the US leg of Sheeran’s tour following pro-Palestinian remarks during his performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. Macklemore told audiences that people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank “have not been forgotten” and called for freedom for Palestinians.
Macklemore later said he had been told that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had contacted Sheeran over his participation in the tour. He also alleged that Kraft approached other stadium owners, creating pressure for him to be removed.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said several venues had informed the organisers that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform. The rapper was subsequently dropped from the remaining support dates.
Sheeran has said the decision was not his. In a statement, he said the tour promoter and stadium venues made the decision, noting that Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter.
“I am not complicit,” Sheeran wrote. He said he had personal views on the conflict but had chosen not to express them publicly. He also said he did not want to abandon the touring crew, support acts and musicians who depend on the tour for work.
Sheeran said he respected Macklemore’s willingness to speak out, while maintaining that he wanted his concerts to remain politically neutral spaces focused on bringing people together.
The dispute has also affected the rest of the tour line-up. Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham withdrew from upcoming shows, while Sheeran’s longtime backing band Beoga also left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Support for Macklemore has also come from outside the tour, with artists and public figures including Kneecap, Greta Thunberg and Kehlani speaking out in his favour.
Paloma Faith called him “a rare and important voice”, while comedian Jim Norton cancelled performances at two stadiums on Sheeran’s tour route in solidarity.
Macklemore has also faced criticism. Singer Pink reshared a post accusing him of being anti-Israel, while the Israeli-American Council had previously launched a petition calling for his removal from the tour.
Macklemore has said he understands Sheeran’s position but remains unwilling to stop speaking about Palestine. He has also said that “antisemitism is real” and that his door remains open to Sheeran.
“I didn’t need 10 shows from Ed,” Macklemore said. “I needed two. Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say words that somehow became too dangerous to say.”
