Macklemore Dropped from Ed Sheeran Tour Over "Free Palestine"

[Frank Underwood]

Has anybody else been following this story? Apparently, Ed Sheeran dropped Macklemore from his tour due to pressure from stadium owners. These Zionists were upset because Macklemore said "free Palestine" on stage, which they find more appalling than actual genocide. I even read an article from a Jewish woman who said "free Palestine" chants create hatred of Jews and make them feel unsafe. It's amazing how these righteously indignant Zionists have such strong victim complexes, yet they express how upset and "unsafe" they feel from the comfort of their home. Gotta love the irony! There's also been the usual faux claims of "antisemitism," which most people roll their eyes at now.

On the plus side, all of Sheeran's opening acts (and even his own backup band!) dropped out in solidarity with Macklemore. Sheeran's been having to perform solo, and he even apologized over "mistakes" he made. He also said that the situation in Gaza is "unjustifiable," so the fallout over this has obviously gotten to him. I don't listen to either artist's music, but I appreciate Macklemore and the other acts for standing up for what they believe in. It can't be easy to stand up to corporate censorship when it affects your career.

 

[Angela Channing]

There's been a huge backlash against Ed Sheeran, and rightly so. He lost 100,000 followers on Instagram in one day and ticket sales for his concert have gone down the toilet. Mr Sheeran said he is apolitical but said this at a concert to raise money for Ukraine: "I just want to say to all Ukrainians: I love you, I stand with you and I’m so proud to be playing this fundraising event next week." However, when it comes to Palestine, Mr Sheeran claims he doesn’t take sides.

Regardless of his views on Palestine and the Israeli genocide, he should have stood in solidarity with his "friend" Macklemore when promoters dropped him as a support act. Had he said he wouldn't proceed with the concert if stadium owners try to determine the content of a performer's set, I think they would have backed down.

Well, I hope Mr Sheeran enjoys counting the money he will make from singing his tedious ditties while hundreds of innocent Palestinian children are being slaughtered.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Tens of thousands of innocent children.

At least Sheeran disowned the genocide, sort of. He was probably caught in the middle and didn't know what to do, but what he did didn't work.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Tens of thousands of innocent children.

At least Sheeran disowned the genocide, sort of. He was probably caught in the middle and didn't know what to do, but what he did didn't work.

Yes. The slimy stadium owners are the bigger villains for threatening to ban him if he didn't drop Macklemore, but Sheeran should have called their bluff. One would think he has the clout (and the money) to weather the storm. Sheeran clearly didn't expect the blowback he received for kowtowing to them. He's trying to make up for it now, but the damage is already done. I almost feel bad for him, but giving in to the demands of pro-censorship oligarchs was cowardly. It's sad he didn't have the courage of his convictions.

 

[Crimson]

Sheeran clearly didn't expect the blowback for kowtowing to them.

The blowback was another social media storm-in-a-teacup. In the days leading up to the first concert since the Macklemore situation broke, the online mob was convinced that Sheeran's career was finished, that fans would demand refunds and boycott the concert.

Meanwhile, the concert ...



If Sheeran's statement was from the heart, good for him. If it was a PR move, he shouldn't have even bothered. The online mob is never satisfied with any amount of groveling and I always think celebrities should just ignore these things. The mob has the attention span of a squirrel; by Tuesday they'll be bloodthirsty over something else.

 

[Frank Underwood]

The blowback was another social media storm-in-a-teacup. In the days leading up to the first concert since the Macklemore situation broke, the online mob was convinced that Sheeran's career was finished, that fans would demand refunds and boycott the concert.

Meanwhile, the concert ...

View attachment 59599

If Sheeran's statement was from the heart, good for him. If it was a PR move, he shouldn't have even bothered. The online mob is never satisfied with any amount of groveling and I always think celebrities should just ignore these things. The mob has the attention span of a squirrel; by Tuesday they'll be bloodthirsty over something else.

It's not just about the concerts, though. Sheeran says he's lost both friends and family over it, his opening acts quit, and even his own backing band quit.

I'm sure most of his fans only care about his music and will see him no matter what, which is great. However, he's still been hurt by this both professionally and personally.

And while I agree that the "online mob" is often petty and vicious, I can't help but feel that their outrage over Sheeran giving into the Zionist mob was justified.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

The online mob is never satisfied with any amount of groveling and I always think celebrities should just ignore these things. The mob has the attention span of a squirrel; by Tuesday they'll be bloodthirsty over something else.

Although they're not really wrong on this.

 

[Rove]

Has anybody else been following this story?

It's been making news here in Oz. Most of the comments I'm reading under ongoing stories is from people just wishing to attend a concert to be entertained. "I pay good money to hear you sing not listen to your religious or political beliefs."

I have to say I'm kind on board with that sentiment. If I want religious guidance I'll attend church. If I wish to listen to political conversations I'll just head over to one of the many talking heads on Sky NEWS or other avenues. Thankfully - and I thank GOD everyday - I have no interest in either topic.

 

[Frank Underwood]

It's been making news here in Oz. Most of the comments I'm reading under ongoing stories is from people just wishing to attend a concert to be entertained. "I pay good money to hear you sing not listen to your religious or political beliefs."

I have to say I'm kind on board with that sentiment. If I want religious guidance I'll attend church. If I wish to listen to political conversations I'll just head over to one of the many talking heads on Sky NEWS or other avenues. Thankfully - and I thank GOD everyday - I have no interest in either topic.

I get the sentiment, and I normally would agree. I think some entertainers can get overly preachy on stage, which I'm not a fan of.

What makes this feel different to me is that Macklemore simply said "free Palestine." To me, that feels more like compassion towards an oppressed population than a political spiel. He didn't invoke any politicians or go on a tangent about specific foreign policy objectives; he simply expressed his desire for the people of Palestine to be free. The fact that a bunch of pampered, professional victims felt attacked by that statement is quite ironic. Personally, I think that says more about them than it does about Macklemore.

 

[Angela Channing]

It's been making news here in Oz. Most of the comments I'm reading under ongoing stories is from people just wishing to attend a concert to be entertained. "I pay good money to hear you sing not listen to your religious or political beliefs."

I have to say I'm kind on board with that sentiment. If I want religious guidance I'll attend church. If I wish to listen to political conversations I'll just head over to one of the many talking heads on Sky NEWS or other avenues. Thankfully - and I thank GOD everyday - I have no interest in either topic.

The only problem with this argument is that Mr Sheeran is selective about when he wants to be political and when he doesn't. He was quick to wade into discussions about the war in Ukraine and show solidarity with Ukrainians but having done that, he refused to express any sympathy with the people of Palestine. He can't have it both ways.

Musicians expressing their political opinions didn't begin with Macklemore and there has been a long tradition of artists using their platforms to highlight their opposition to war, racism, poverty, LGBT+ rights, women's rights and oppression. Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, Joan Baez, Nina Simone, The Specials, Tracy Chapman, Billy Bragg, John Lennon and even Bobby Darrin are just a selection of musicians who have done this. If we believe in free speech, we should allow them to express their opinions, even if we don't agree with them. If you think a musician is going to make a political statement that you don't want to hear, don't buy a ticket to see them instead of banning them so their can't say their piece. Stadium owners should not have the right to censor artists' performances in this way which is why it's so disappointing that multi-millionaire Mr Sheeran thought the money he was making from his concerts was more important than demonstrating loyalty to his friends and upholding the right of free speech.

 

[Frank Underwood]

The only problem with this argument is that Mr Sheeran is selective about when he wants to be political and when he doesn't. He was quick to wade into discussions about the war in Ukraine and show solidarity with Ukrainians but having done that, he refused to express any sympathy with the people of Palestine. He can't have it both ways.

Musicians expressing their political opinions didn't begin with Macklemore and there has been a long tradition of artists using their platforms to highlight their opposition to war, racism, poverty, LGBT+ rights, women's rights and oppression. Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, Joan Baez, Nina Simone, The Specials, Tracy Chapman, Billy Bragg, John Lennon and even Bobby Darrin are just a selection of musicians who have done this. If we believe in free speech, we should allow them to express their opinions, even if we don't agree with them. If you think a musician is going to make a political statement that you don't want to hear, don't buy a ticket to see them instead of banning them so their can't say their piece. Stadium owners should not have the right to censor artists' performances in this way which is why it's so disappointing that multi-millionaire Mr Sheeran thought the money he was making from his concerts was more important than demonstrating loyalty to his friends and upholding the right of free speech.

Ultimately, yes. Artistic expression and free speech should always come first. I personally prefer when an artist speaks through their art rather than going on a rant on stage, but I still think they should have the right to do so if they wish. Of course, Macklemore didn't even go on a rant. He simply said "free Palestine," and the Zionists got in a tizzy.

As for Sheeran, I think the difference between his stance on the Ukraine War vs. Gaza comes down to self-preservation. It's always been acceptable to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Gaza is different. Because of the hold Israel has over the US, people are often condemned for calling the atrocities in Gaza a genocide. Even expressing sympathy for the suffering of Palestinians is condemned by these ghouls. Sheeran chose stadium gigs over his beliefs, not anticipating that it would cost him in other ways.

 

[Barbara Fan]

I have to be honest if i go to a concert I go to hear music and singing, not to hear someone bang on about politics, especially someone I have never heard of.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Not only are a lot of celebrities afraid to speak out against the genocide in Gaza because of career damage (i.e., Jewish bankers), many other stars may have been caught in "compromising circumstances."

If they've got Sheeran on video humping a giraffe, then we can understand his cowardice.

 

[Laurie!]

It's just sad that supporting innocent people, their right to live and have land to call their own is considered controversial (especially when Israel was literally carved out on some of their land by the West).

Both Israellis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace, without being murdered....not controversial.

October 7th, 2023 was an abhorrent slaughter of over 1200 innocent people. Israel had a right to respond by bringing the perpetrators to justice. They did not and do not, have the right to slaughter tens of thousands of innocent Gazans and Lebanese in response...not controversial.

Just like the U.S. had a right to respond to 9/11 by bringing those responsible to justice. They did not and do not have the right to "put a boot in their a$$" when that boot really meant all Muslims in Afganistan and Iraq (most who were entirely innocent)....not controversial.

Future generations of "terrorists" keep being created. All of whom feel they're justified to respond to murder with murder. It just keeps going.......

My initial reaction was to want to delete Ed Sheeran's songs from my Spotify Playlist. Then I realized, he's not the problem. He does however, have a platform that could be used for a positive statement. You can support Palestinians and Israelis at the same time....shouldn't be controversial.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

It's just sad that supporting innocent people, their right to live and have land to call their own is considered controversial (especially when Israel was literally carved out on some of their land by the West).

Both Israellis and Palestinians deserve to live in peace, without being murdered....not controversial.

October 7th, 2023 was an abhorrent slaughter of over 1200 innocent people. Israel had a right to respond by bringing the perpetrators to justice. They did not and do not, have the right to slaughter tens of thousands of innocent Gazans and Lebanese in response...not controversial.

Just like the U.S. had a right to respond to 9/11 by bringing those responsible to justice. They did not and do not have the right to "put a boot in their a$$" when that boot really meant all Muslims in Afganistan and Iraq (most who were entirely innocent)....not controversial.

Future generations of "terrorists" keep being created. All of whom feel they're justified to respond to murder with murder. It just keeps going.......

My initial reaction was to want to delete Ed Sheeran's songs from my Spotify Playlist. Then I realized, he's not the problem. He does however, have a platform that could be used for a positive statement. You can support Palestinians and Israelis at the same time....shouldn't be controversial.

Although a lot of those 1200 innocent people were killed by Israel itself. And it was apparent even to laymen within 24 hours that October 7th was allowed to happen.

What a mess. And Americans have only become aware in the last couple of years what control Zionist Israel has had over our politics for decades -- and that awareness they now try to spin as "anti-semitism."

 

[Laurie!]

Although a lot of those 1200 innocent people were killed by Israel itself. And it was apparent even to laymen within 24 hours that October 7th was allowed to happen.

What a mess. And Americans have only become aware in the last couple of years what control Zionist Israel has had over our politics for decades -- and that awareness they now try to spin as "anti-semitism."

Oh definitely! I've said before the Israeli security team didn't pull off that exploding pager coup and miss the intelligence about a pending Hamas attack.

Bibi needed Israeli deaths in bloody fashion to gin up the war mongers.