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An Irish radio station has pulled Ed Sheeran's music from its playlist, and protest groups are organizing outside his upcoming Philadelphia show, as fallout from Macklemore's removal as a support act on the Loop Tour continues to widen.
The controversy traces to Macklemore's opening performances at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on September 4 and 5, where he called for a free Palestine and performed his song "Hind's Hall." Classic Hits Radio, operated by Bay Broadcasting, announced the ban on Thursday.
Dave Kelly, the company's group programme director, told The Independent the decision "has been carefully considered" and "is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran." Kelly framed the move as a response to listener feedback and a statement of solidarity with Irish artists who had already walked off the tour on principle.
The station said it would keep Sheeran off its playlist for the "foreseeable future." The venue ultimatum and the walkouts Four other acts exited the Loop Tour after Macklemore was dropped: Irish artists Aaron Rowe and Beoga, alongside Lukas Graham and Finneas.
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