Ed Sheeran support act who quit tour in solidarity with Macklemore now DEFENDS singer amid backlash
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe has come to Ed Sheeran’s defence over the Macklemore tour removal row, insisting the public is targeting the wrong individual.
In a lengthy Instagram video published on Friday, Mr Rowe urged people to shift their focus towards New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and pro-Israel pressure groups.
“I’m gonna be honest. I think you are all focusing on the wrong person here,” Mr Rowe said. “All I keep hearing is Ed Sheeran this, Ed Sheeran that – when you really should be focusing on the likes of Robert Kraft.”
He went further, calling out “the Zionist lobbies that are trying to silence the voices of people who are shouting about genocide, the genocide that is happening in Palestine right now by Israel.”
Aaron Rowe left Sheeran’s tour this month
|
GETTY
“You should be using this opportunity to plaster Robert Kraft’s face everywhere, someone who tried to shut down free speech,” Mr Rowe added. “That’s what you should be using your energy on, not f***ing Ed Sheeran, for f***’s sake.”
Mr Rowe suggested that Mr Sheeran’s public response to the controversy fell short, stating: “I know Ed’s statement could have been a lot better.
“I fully believe it was panic stations over there and they rushed the decision because they didn’t know what to f***ing do because they were getting it from all angles.”
Despite having had limited contact with Mr Sheeran since the row erupted, the Dublin musician expressed confidence that the pop star now regrets what happened. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to Ed too much, but I fully believe he knows that was a mistake,” Mr Rowe said.
Aaron Rowe is an Irish musician
|
GETTY
Mr Sheeran has maintained that the call to drop Macklemore was made by promoter Messina Touring Group and venue operators, not by him personally.
Mr Rowe defended Mr Sheeran further as he pointed to the roster of artists invited onto the Loop Tour. Mr Rowe, Beoga, BIIRD and Macklemore himself have all publicly voiced support for Palestinians.
“Like, if Ed Sheeran was a f***ing Zionist, why would he have all these f***ing people on the f***ing tour?” he said.
Mr Rowe also spoke warmly of Mr Sheeran’s character and his track record of championing lesser-known talent. “All he has inside of him is kindness. That is who Ed Sheeran is. And yes, like every other human being, he makes mistakes.”
Ed Sheeran has vowed to continue his tour | GETTY
The controversy stems from Macklemore’s appearances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, where he declared “Free Palestine” from the stage and performed his 2024 protest track “Hind’s Hall,” which criticises Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The Israeli American Council subsequently launched a petition demanding his removal, whilst pop star Pink publicly criticised the rapper’s remarks.
Macklemore alleged that Mr Kraft then contacted Mr Sheeran directly, warning that the rapper would be barred from performing at Gillette Stadium. He was formally dropped from the tour on September 14.
In the days that followed, support acts Mr Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Mr Sheeran’s touring band Beoga all withdrew from upcoming dates in solidarity.
Mr Sheeran has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian supporters, and famous activists including Paloma Faith, Billy Bragg, and Roger Waters.
Comments are closed.