Culture 5 min read By Lauren Baxter
Bob Geldof Defends Ed Sheeran, Praises Macklemore in Tour Controversy
Bob Geldof has defended Ed Sheeran amid the controversy over Macklemore's removal from the Loop tour, arguing that artists have the right to choose when to speak on political issues while praising Macklemore and the musicians who withdrew in protest.
Bob Geldof has come to the defense of Ed Sheeran amid the ongoing controversy over Macklemore's removal from the singer's Loop tour, arguing that artists have the absolute right to decide when and how they use their platform to address political issues. The Boomtown Rats frontman weighed in on the row in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, offering a nuanced take that both defended Sheeran and praised those who took a stand against the decision.
«An artist has the absolute right to choose what he wants to say and when he wants to say it,» Geldof said. «There are those who say, y'know, at a certain level of fame, having a non-political stance is political. No, that's not right. Fame is a currency, and it depends on how you want to use it.» He added that he would not expect every artist to speak out on Gaza, noting that it is not necessarily their role. «I wouldn't expect The Rolling Stones to get up and go on about Gaza, you just wouldn't. Why? Because it's not their thing, although I'm quite sure that Mick Jagger has an opinion on it.»
Despite defending Sheeran's right to remain apolitical, Geldof reserved praise for Macklemore and the musicians who withdrew from the tour in protest. «I really admire Macklemore and the guys who walked, because it's a hard ask,» he said. «They are making a big quid for the first time in their lives, y'know, and he just said, 'No, mate'.» Geldof directed his criticism instead toward Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft and the tour's promoters. «Shame on Kraft, and shame on the promoters,» he said. «Shame on them! But not shame on Sheeran.» He argued that artists should be supported by promoters and venue owners, adding: «It's certainly none of their fucking business what an artist gets up to.»
The controversy began after Macklemore delivered an impassioned «Free Palestine» speech during his support slots at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he also performed his protest track «Hind's Hall» alongside footage from Gaza. He subsequently faced calls for his removal from figures including Pink and the Israeli American Council. Kraft later said he found Macklemore's comments «deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.» Sheeran has maintained that the final decision to remove the rapper was made by promoter Messina Touring Group after a number of venues objected to Macklemore appearing. The move prompted FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga to withdraw from the tour, while Sheeran's backing musicians also pulled out.
Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 19, and admitted making «mistakes» over the Macklemore row. Speaking to the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field, he said the fallout had made him question whether he wanted «to be an artist at all.» «I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I'm so, so sorry,» he told fans. Sheeran also said he had never intended to be «an activist musician,» but that the controversy had placed him at the centre of «an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech.» He expressed deep concern about venues pre-approving content for performers, stating: «This happens in so many places that I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.»
Turning to Gaza, Sheeran said he had tried to avoid being a political commentator because he wanted his music and shows to be about unity, not division. «But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,» he said. He described the Hamas-led attack at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, as «horrific,» before saying that what is happening in Gaza is «catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate.» He also revealed that he had removed the usual B-stage from the show because he was «afraid of what might happen» if he stood in the middle of the crowd. «I didn't know if I'd have things thrown at me,» he told fans.
Geldof's defense of Sheeran follows similar comments from former support act Aaron Rowe, who said that anger over the situation should instead be aimed at «the likes of Robert Kraft.» Rowe, who was among the musicians to withdraw from the tour, acknowledged that Sheeran's initial statement «could have been a lot better» and maintained that Macklemore should not have been removed. However, he added: «All he has inside of him is kindness. That is who Ed Sheeran is. And yes, like every other human being he makes fucking mistakes.» Macklemore subsequently pledged his entire $1 million earnings from the tour to six organizations.
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