Pink Floyd star condemns Ed Sheeran as support acts quit tour over Palestine row

WorldMusic
16 Sep 2026 • 5:58 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Pink Floyd star condemns Ed Sheeran as support acts quit tour over Palestine row

  • Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters publicly condemned Ed Sheeran after US rapper Macklemore was removed as a support act on Sheeran's tour for voicing solidarity with Palestinians during a performance in New Jersey.
  • Macklemore's removal was enforced by promoter Messina Touring Group following threats from venue owners, including billionaire Robert Kraft, to cancel concert dates over allegations of hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric.
  • Ed Sheeran defended his decision to proceed without Macklemore, stating that he wanted to protect the livelihoods of his touring crew and other performers, while maintaining that he prefers diplomacy over public political debate.
  • Multiple support acts and backing musicians, including Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish group Beoga, subsequently withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
  • Waters praised Macklemore for doing the right thing and displayed images supporting UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who has been targeted by pro-Israel organisations and the Trump administration for her reports on Gaza.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved