In 2025, Grammy-award winning songwriter Ed Sheeran said he "identifies as culturally Irish" despite being born and raised across the Irish Sea. But after the removal of Macklemore from his U.S. tour sparked a backlash over pro-Palestinian remarks, some of Ireland's politicians, musicians, broadcasters and public figures are publicly distancing themselves from one of the country's most enthusiastic adopted sons. Controversy began when Macklemore used his opening slot on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium on September 4 to give a two-minute speech in which he repeatedly said “Free Palestine” and said that he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
The rapper went on to perform his pro-Palestinian song "Hind's Hall" while images from Gaza were shown on screen. This quickly sparked backlash from some pro-Israel groups, including a petition from the Israeli-American Council, and days later, Macklemore announced he had been removed from the remaining U.S. tour dates. In a lengthy statement, he said Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, had objected to his participation and that a group of stadium owners had presented an ultimatum that could have jeopardized the tour if he remained on the bill.
Kraft subsequently confirmed he had opposed Macklemore appearing at Gillette Stadium, but said the decision was based on what he described as a broader pattern of antisemitic rhetoric rather than support for Palestinians. Sheeran responded by saying Macklemore's removal was not his decision but was driven by concerns raised by promoters and venue owners. The fallout has since widened beyond the two artists.
All remaining opening acts departed the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, including Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Irish folk group Beoga, who had also served as Sheeran's backing band. While Sheeran prepares for the next date of his tour at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, across the Atlantic all is not well. In fact, those in Sheeran’s chosen cultural home of Ireland have been vocal in speaking out against him in the wake of the Macklemore tour debate.
Among politicians, Alan Kelly, a Labour TD, accused Sheeran of having "thrown his friend under the bus in favor of commerciality," while Ruth Coppinger of People Before Profit argued that allowing Macklemore's removal was a "political decision" that ultimately backfired. Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash similarly called Sheeran's position "extremely disappointing" and praised artists who withdrew from the tour in protest. Some of the strongest criticism came from Irish musicians connected to the tour itself.
Dublin singer Aaron Rowe pulled out as a support act, saying that as an Irish person he could not ignore issues of "genocide, forced famine and violent occupation." Irish folk band Beoga, longtime collaborators and touring musicians for Sheeran, also withdrew, arguing the controversy was distracting from the suffering of Palestinians. Other Irish cultural figures rallied behind Macklemore. Belfast rap trio Kneecap—long known for their own strong pro-Palestinian stance—posted "All love and solidarity to Macklemore" alongside calls to "Free Palestine," while actor Liam Cunningham wrote on X, simply: "We know who Ed Sheeran is now." Singer Imelda May, broadcaster Carl Mullan, singer Nell Mescal, actor Lola Petticrew and musician CMAT also publicly backed those criticizing Sheeran's handling of the controversy with comments and reactions on Instagram.
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