Ed Sheeran apologizes at concert after Macklemore criticism over Gaza stance
The singer issued an on-stage apology following backlash over his reluctance to explicitly condemn genocide, drawing mixed reactions.
What to know
- Sheeran's on-stage apology and visible tears were widely dismissed as inauthentic and strategically crafted rather than genuinely remorseful.
- Core criticism centers on his reluctance to explicitly name genocide and his apparent prioritization of audience comfort over moral clarity on Gaza.
- Comparison to Macklemore's more direct stance highlighted the perceived inadequacy of Sheeran's response.
- Commenters question whether his tears and apology constitute meaningful accountability or merely damage control.
The dispute Whether Sheeran's tears and apology constitute meaningful accountability or merely PR damage control designed to preserve his commercial appeal. · positions read across 88 posts and comments
Sheeran's response is performative, inauthentic, and fails to address the core issue—his reluctance to explicitly condemn genocide.
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“It's not even about Macklemore it's about his reluctance to flat out call the genocide what it is and making it out like it's more complicated than it is.”
houdinifontmeister.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Sheeran prioritized pleasing wealthy families over moral principle, choosing comfort over accountability.
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“It's nice that he only seems to care about families who can afford to buy tickets to his shows and not the one Macklemore and others are trying to shine a light on to save.”
tickleslarue.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Young fans deserve a clear explanation of his position given their political engagement; he may not get another chance.
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“Sheeran isn't in that position anymore. Others are speaking for him, whether he cries about it or not. His fan age group need him to explain his position, as they are very involved politically & socially.”
ariabehbuh.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Ed Sheeran SingerMacklemore Musician/activist
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage postscomments
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Bluesky users dismiss apology as inauthentic and performative
Following the video's circulation, commenters on Bluesky overwhelmingly criticized Sheeran's response as hollow, performative, and inadequate. The most common criticism centered on his reluctance to explicitly call the situation a genocide and his perceived prioritization of audience comfort over moral clarity.
“His actions over the past few days have been a textbook lesson on how not to handle a PR/image crisis. There's been nothing authentic about his response.”
— janiebw.bsky.social -
T
You’ve probably seen Ed Sheeran’s (teleprompter-read, PR team-written) apology by now— here the part where he cried and apologized for the apology at the end of the concert👇🏽
2 more of the top 3 · 88 posts in this stretch
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Who gives a crap about this dude anymore. He has shown who and what he is
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This translucent bag of mayonnaise is sorry alright. Sorry he didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to do the right thing before finding out that Macklemore is more beloved than him 😆
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background
Sheeran delivers on-stage apology and cries at concert — Ed Sheeran issued an apology during a concert performance, including a moment where he cried while apologizing for his apology. Video of the moment was shared on Bluesky by The Tennessee Holler.
What people are saying 20 voices from 1 site · best of 88 · verbatim
- Sep 20
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I've loved Ed Sheeran since the beginning. Talented is an understatement. But this is not a "complicated political issue." You're either FOR genocide or AGAINST it. And at this point, nothing he can say matters. He waited too long. What a goddamn shame. He can cry all he wants. I'm done.
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"I'm used to my music being criticized" this, "my concerts are a safe space" that, he's still going ahead with the tour for the same reason he agreed to toss Macklemore. The goddamned money. He doesn't have to refund the money or end the tour this way, so Ed Sheeran can kiss my whole ass.
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Don't forget he performed at Robert Kraft's wedding. He knows what side he is on. Screw him.
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He should hook up his tour with Garth Brooks...an accused rapist and a genocide denier. Maybe getween them they could cobble together a bunch of gross people to listen to outdated music. Both only interested in separating you from your money.✌️💙🦋
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I miss the good ol’ days of last week, when I didn’t know anything about Ed Sheeran.
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Ed Sheeran has always been the guy on the stairs in Animal House.
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The implication being that people with children get to shield them from the realities of the world and live in a fantasyland where everyone just has different "beliefs" so they can come together over asinine music, rather than knowing they're dominated by billionaire psychopaths & religious fanatics
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Always apologising to the parents, who just want to have a good night with their kids without the “politics”. As a parent, I’m less inclined to encourage my kids to enjoy music by someone who cannot stand up for what’s right tbh
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I’m afraid Ed’s tears are hollow and performative unlike this beautiful child of Palestine. 🇵🇸
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How hard is it for someone to speak out — or support someone who speaks out — about genocide??? Again, how much money do people need? Sheeran took Kraft’s millions, and for what?
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I think people should be allowed to have fun. We don't need to wallow all the time. It's nice that he only seems to care about families who can afford to buy tickets to his shows and not the one Macklemore and others are trying to shine a light on to save. Poor Ed Sheeran.
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It's not even about Macklemore it's about his reluctance to flat out call the genocide what it is and making it out like it's more complicated than it is. It's disrespectful
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Actions speak louder. His whole “apology” was a weak contradiction. Of course he apologized for that apology. It was a hollow lie.
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it's too soon to let him off the hook otherwise he gets away with it that is why this continues. As a lesson to others also
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Actors can cry on cue so can my kids and now we know, Ed can also
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All he had to do was the right thing. he failed
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Despite never having listened knowingly to any of his music, my impression of Sheeran has always been that of a fakey insincere dweeb with an exceptionally punchable face.
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Is the cruelty the point of this? Wondering what these same folks did about Coachella? I don’t recall them demanding performers not play there rather than help Philip Anschutz support MAGA, a RW terrorist organization.
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He now looks like a weak man that was made to kneel before evil.
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The crowd should have thrown rolls of paper towels at him