Ed Sheeran songs pulled from Irish radio as Macklemore tour fallout deepens before Philadelphia concert
Ed Sheeran’s turbulent week has taken another turn, with his music pulled from a major radio station as the fallout from his US tour controversy grows.
Ed Sheeran’s turbulent week has taken another turn, with one of Ireland’s biggest commercial radio networks pulling his music from its playlists as the fallout from his US tour controversy continues to grow.
Just hours before the 35-year-old is due back on stage in Philadelphia, Classic Hits Radio announced it would stop playing the British superstar’s songs following feedback from listeners over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour.
“Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered,” Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, which runs the radio station, said in a statement.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.”
Classic Hits Radio attracts more than 379,000 listeners each week, predominantly aged over 35.
The station said it had also taken into account the decisions of Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, who withdrew from the remaining Loop Tour dates, The Independent reported.
“As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions,” Mr Kelly said.
“Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views.
“In light of the strength of feeling expressed by our listeners and the decisions taken by Irish artists involved in the tour, we believe removing Ed Sheeran’s music from our playlist is the appropriate decision for Classic Hits Radio at this time.”
The decision will remain “under review”, leaving open the possibility Sheeran’s music could eventually return.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the singer had been placed in a difficult situation.
“I think he’s been left in a really difficult decision, stuck between his supporting artists, whom he wants to promote and support, and the promoters, and I hope that people will still go and see his show,” she said.
The controversy erupted after American rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour following his “Free Palestine” remarks during a September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Sheeran has insisted the decision was not his.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran told fans.
“Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
Sheeran said stadium owner Robert Kraft objected to what he described as “hate speech”, with other venues subsequently following suit.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” Sheeran said.
“Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
Macklemore acknowledged that taking a public position could come at a significant professional price.
“Taking a side can cost you,” he wrote.
“Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”
Other supporting acts have since pulled out, while some fans are attempting to resell tickets or seek refunds.
Sheeran is scheduled to perform at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 19, with another 17 shows across North and South America before the tour finishes in Mexico City in December.
The online fallout is also growing, with Sheeran’s Instagram following falling from about 47.6 million earlier in the week to 47.3 million by Thursday.
Crisis communications specialist Carla Speight said Sheeran had been caught in an almost impossible situation.
“Ed’s name trending and Ed’s fans being told to boycott. He’s effectively being thrown under the bus for a decision Macklemore and the promoters should have seen coming,” she said.
“Speak up and he splits his fanbase. Stay quiet and he’s condemned for silence. Either way he loses, and Gaza gains nothing.”
