Ed Sheeran says friends and family 'abandoned' him over Gaza row
Singer tells Philadelphia crowd he feels isolated after Macklemore's removal from tour sparked broader conflict over speech and politics.
What to know
- Ed Sheeran removed Macklemore from his tour after stadium owner Robert Kraft cited the rapper's pro-Palestine statements, triggering backlash from other artists who withdrew in solidarity.
- Sheeran told fans he feels abandoned by friends and family over the controversy and faces pressure to cancel the tour, while also citing security concerns.
- The singer publicly condemned violence on both sides, calling the Gaza situation 'catastrophic' and the October 7 attacks 'horrific,' saying he never intended to become an activist.
Sheeran capitulated to pressure and should have defended artists' rights more forcefully.
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“He had the option when a billionaire put pressure on him to turn it all around. Give the stadiums the finger.”
radiodeadair.com · Bluesky ↗
“In these situations you really find out who your friends are”
Ed Sheeran · Evening Standard ↗
Ed Sheeran SingerMacklemore Rapper
Robert Kraft Gillette Stadium owner
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Sheeran condemns violence on both sides, calls Gaza situation 'catastrophic'
Addressing the political controversy directly, Sheeran says he never intended to be an activist but felt unable to stay silent. He describes the Israel-Gaza conflict as the most complex political issue on the planet, condemns the October 7 attacks as horrific, and describes Gaza as catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate.
“What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific…”
— Ed Sheeran -
first by Evening Standard, 3d ago
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This. Mother. Fucker. He had the option when a billionaire put pressure on him to turn it all around. Give the stadiums the finger. Get a groundswell. Have concert venues falling all over themselves to be replacements. Get the people on his side. Instead he's whining about how his tour was hurt.
2 more of the top 3 · 212 posts in this stretch
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Dear Ed. You're not the victim here. Your starting point should be realising that.
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Also while we're on the topic is sure is interesting that the only acts that can play in stadiums have to be given permission by billionaires with political motives, and upsetting them means you lose the venue. Says a WHOLE FUCKING LOT about the music industry, huh?
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background
Sheeran tells Philadelphia crowd he feels abandoned by friends and family — During a concert with approximately 50,000 fans, Sheeran reflects on the week's controversy, saying he faces pressure to cancel the tour and feels that people close to him have distanced themselves. He also discusses security concerns, removal of a stage section, and assembling a replacement backing band on short notice.
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background
Artists withdraw from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore — Following Macklemore's removal, other support acts and members of the house band withdraw from Sheeran's Loop Tour in protest.
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background
Robert Kraft removes Macklemore from Gillette Stadium performance — Stadium owner Robert Kraft removes rapper Macklemore from a scheduled performance, citing comments where the artist voiced support for Palestine.
What people are saying 21 voices from 1 site · best of 212 · verbatim
- Sep 21
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In 2026, if you are an adult with adequate education and have the slightest of compassion, and can't stand 10 toes down about what Israel is doing is genocide, you need to be abandoned. Society don't need you. You showed people who you are, so they can react as they see fit.
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"All I did was refuse to disavow genocide. And fired a guy who did."
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Poor Ed: not a molecule of introspection and self awareness from someone who pretends to be a lyricist. Who can't make up his own words without a teleprompter. Sad
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I'm feeling all of my friends and family and people I know abandon me,’...... a normal person would see this a sign they've been a bit of a dick.
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I cannot believe people here worrying about Ed Sheeran's mental health. Last I heard there, wasn't a genocide against redheaded people from fucking Suffolk.
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Yes, Ed. Your family are still alive. Your house is still standing. You have enough to eat and drink. You have medical care. You can work. Not true for millions in Gaza.
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And the starting point for his apology should not be Oct 7th.
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I’m wondering if he’s actually not very bright. Ducks.
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Hey all you people who found this post somehow, why don't you do me a favor and go put this dipshit on blast?
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His backing band lost out far more than he did when they stepped down. But they did the right thing. But poor, poor him, eh?
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Has anyone considered this guy may just be stupid?
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… and something on the current state of affairs in the US!?
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It appears Ed Sheeran’s family and friends have a moral backbone. Why would any friend or family member want to be associated with someone who clearly supports ethnic cleansing and genocide. This nonsense about seeing “both sides” is even more disgusting than keeping quiet and saying nothing.
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You showed everyone what you believe your friendship is worth when you dumped Macklemore the instant a rich asshole told you to. You don't get to be surprised that people believe your actions more than your words.
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"At times like this you learn who your true friends are." Macklemore and Palestine very much agree with this sentiment, Ed.
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Whenever I see Ed Sheeran reaping what he sowed in the news the first thing that comes to my mind is the "Everybody Betray Me" rant from The Room
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JFC Christ, Kathy Griffin was put on the No Fly List and the Five Eyes watch list, with 2 DOJ investigations into a photo of ketchup and a Halloween mask. But this guy is victimized by his privilege and we're supposed to decry his non-cancellation.
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The thing I just find bizarre is that he didn’t even do the wishywashy milquetoast bullshit right. He *might* have been able to skate by with ”there was tragedy on both sides and firing Macklemore wasn’t my decision” but he just went with “of course I have opinions. WHY DON’T PEOPLE LIKE ME!”
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The Rich and Famous when their actions have consequences really just act like entitled brats about it.
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I've never had strong opinions about him, now I think he's a sack of shit.
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oh you're feeling abandoned Ed? wait until you hear about how people in Gaza are feeling