Popular radio station drops singer’s music from airwaves following Macklemore-Palestine row

Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, said: “Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered.”

“As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions,” he added.

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Mr Kelly stressed the decision was “not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran.”

“Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views,” he said.

The row erupted after Macklemore delivered a two-minute address about Gaza during his opening set for Mr Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, telling the crowd: “Free Palestine.”

His speech prompted calls for his removal from figures including Pink and the Israeli American Council.

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Macklemore had been booked to appear at eight of the 10 remaining Loop Tour dates but was swiftly axed.

Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, the billionaire behind the New England Patriots, confirmed he had pushed for the rapper’s dismissal, citing what he described as a “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”

In his initial statement, Macklemore alleged Mr Kraft had pressured Mr Sheeran and “rallied some of the other stadium owners” to issue the singer an ultimatum.

Every one of Mr Sheeran’s remaining support acts subsequently walked away from the Loop Tour in solidarity with the rapper.

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Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Grammy-winning musician Finneas, Danish artist Lukas Graham, and Mr Sheeran’s backing band Beoga all announced their departures while voicing support for Macklemore.

Mr Rowe wrote: “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide.”

Former Mr Sheeran support acts also weighed in. Irish trad-folk group BIIRD declared they stood “unequivocally behind every word” Macklemore had spoken, while Myles Smith said “what Palestinians are enduring is devastating and impossible to look away from.”

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd called Mr Sheeran a “little p***k” and praised Macklemore for doing “the right thing.” Massive Attack added that “‘neutrality’ in the face of the slaughter of more than 20,000 children can never be neutrality.”

Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he would give his entire $1 million in net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organisations working directly with Palestinian communities.

“Writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity to me. I am doing it because I can, and because these organisations are doing the work while much of the world debates it,” he wrote on Instagram.

The rapper challenged Mr Kraft to match his contribution. The billionaire, whose estimated fortune stands at roughly $15 billion, responded by pledging $2 million.

He added that Mr Sheeran had already asked him to commit the sum before Macklemore’s public challenge.

“Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit two million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,” Mr Kraft stated.

Mr Sheeran has maintained that Macklemore’s removal was not his doing. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” he wrote on Instagram on Tuesday, adding that venues had threatened to cancel shows if the rapper remained on the bill.

“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” the singer stated, describing himself as “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.”

He said he respected Macklemore’s conviction but preferred to use his platform as “a place of safety and sanctuary” rather than a political forum.

Mr Sheeran is next due on stage at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on September 19. He still has 17 dates remaining across North and South America, concluding in Mexico City on December 11.