Damon Albarn Warns Fans ‘Don’t Ever Be Neutral’ Amid Ed Sheeran Tour Row
The Gorillaz frontman said neutrality is not possible as Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour prompted withdrawals from several scheduled shows.
- At the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, Damon Albarn urged fans to "never be neutral" while holding a Palestinian flag during a Gorillaz concert, addressing the controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's Loop tour.
- Macklemore was removed from the tour after voicing support for Palestinians at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the rapper told the audience "Free Palestine" and discussed Gaza and the West Bank.
- Venue operators threatened to pull shows if Macklemore remained, Sheeran stated, while Finneas O'Connell, Lukas Graham, and Beoga subsequently withdrew from scheduled performances across the tour.
- Macklemore pledged $1 million of his net earnings from tour appearances to six organisations supporting Palestinians, navigating professional fallout from his removal and the broader tour disruptions.
- Long an advocate for the Palestinian cause, Albarn previously performed at a 2025 benefit concert organised by Brian Eno and played with the London Arab Orchestra, maintaining his stance as Sheeran continues his worldwide Loop tour.
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Aaron Rowe Explains Why He Still Defends Ed Sheeran After Macklemore's Exit
Get latest articles and stories on Entertainment at LatestLY. Rowe, who himself dropped out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, made the comments in a video posted to his Instagram on Friday. Entertainment News | Aaron Rowe Explains Why He Still Defends Ed Sheeran After Macklemore's Exit.
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Pro-Palestinian group calls for boycott of Ed Sheeran concerts after row over rapper
Ed Sheeran lamented the devastation in Gaza and acknowledged that the controversy over Macklemore's departure forced him to make difficult decisions
At his first concert after the exclusion of rapper Macklemore from the preliminary program of his US tour due to pro-Palestinian statements, pop star Ed Sheeran took a stand on the controversy.
Aaron Rowe Defends Ed Sheeran: "Human F*cking Error"
Although Ed Sheeran has no more openers on his Loop Tour, at least one artist is coming to his defense after dropping Macklemore over his pro-Palestine remarks. On Friday, after departing the tour, Aaron Rowe defended Sheeran for his “human f*cking error” in caving to Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft’s demand that he remove Macklemore […]
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