U2 have weighed in on the removal of Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour, backing the rapper’s right to speak out while cautioning against blaming Sheeran.
“We totally support Macklemore’s right as an artist to say what he wanted to say,” the Edge said in an interview with BBC News. “I don’t think Ed should be vilified,” he added, acknowledging the difficult position Sheeran had been in.
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. said artists can choose whether to be politically active. “But we as a band will fight for the right to speak your mind as long as it doesn’t incite violence,” he said.
Background
Macklemore was dropped from the North American leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour in September after two opening sets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he said “Free Palestine,” spoke about Gaza and the West Bank, and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Promoter Messina Touring Group said venues on the remaining dates would not allow the shows to go ahead with him on the bill.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed he barred the rapper from Gillette Stadium, citing his comments and what Kraft called “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.” Sheeran said the decision belonged to the promoter.
Several acts left the tour in response, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Irish folk band Beoga, which had been performing with Sheeran each night. Sheeran later apologized for “mistakes” in his handling of the situation at a Philadelphia show.
Macklemore has since played three sold-out Free Palestine benefit concerts in Dublin, Paris and London, with guests including Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga, raising money for organizations supporting Palestinians.
U2 release Carnaval De Luz, their 16th studio album and first full-length of new material in nine years, on November 13. The album closes with “Torn,” a duet with the late Dolly Parton that the band says was her last recorded vocal performance.
Source: Billboard
