Jack Antonoff Slams Ed Sheeran for Not Canceling Tour After Macklemore Controversy: 'Stand Up'
Jack Antonoff Slams Ed Sheeran for Not Canceling Tour After Macklemore Controversy: 'Stand Up'
OK! Staff Wed, October 28, 2026 at 12:25 PM UTC
5
Jack Antonoff condemned Ed Sheeran for tolerating corporate pressure.MEGA
Jack Antonoffhas openly criticized Ed Sheeran for his handling of a recent tour controversy, urging artists to reject corporate pressure and take a stand on global issues.
The Bleachers frontman condemned Sheeran’s decision to proceed with his Loop tour after opening act Macklemore was removed from the lineup following pro-Palestine remarks made on stage.
"The reason it’s not an anomaly or niche issue is because we all live in a world where billionaires are constantly telling us what to do. So stand the f--- up," Antonoff stated, calling for resistance against corporate control.
Macklemore Controversy With Pro-Palestine Speech
Macklemore sparked debate after delivering his speech on stage.MEGA
The controversy began during Sheeran’s show in New Jersey, whereMacklemore used his opening set to advocate for Palestinian liberation and criticize Israel.
"To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you. This message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality," Macklemore declared.
A week later, Messina Touring Group, the promoter for the U.S. leg of the tour, notified Rolling Stone that multiple venues refused to host concerts featuring Macklemore on the lineup, ultimately leading to the rapper's official removal from the tour.
Ed Sheeran Apologized to the Fans on Stage
Ed Sheeran apologized to fans as performers left the tour.MEGA
Following Macklemore's exit, Sheeran blamed the promoter and venues for the decision while refusing to take a definitive political side in the ongoing conflict.
During his first concert after the removal, a visibly emotional Sheeran wept on stage, telling the audience, "I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so sorry."
However, the decision sparked immediate fallout across the tour's roster.
All remaining support acts dropped out of the tour in solidarity, including opening acts Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham, alongside Sheeran’s own backing band, Beoga.
Advertisement
Antonoff Urged High-Profile Musicians to Reject Promoter Demands
Antonoff urged famous musicians to defy strict promoter demands.MEGA
Speaking to The Guardian, Antonoff slammed Sheeran’s compliance.
"They’re going to let some f------ promoter tell me what I can say? Don’t book me. I’ll play for free outside," he stated.
He argued Sheeran "missed a massive, beautiful opportunity there: just cancel the whole f------ tour, then play for free outside each venue, raise a bunch of money, rather than let a f------ billionaire tell you what to do."
Antonoff added that advocating "Free Palestine" is "not in any way a strange, uncomfortable or controversial thing to say, it’s a deeply human thing to say. If you think it is [controversial] you’re lost in some other sauce that is so crazy."
Macklemore Announces Independent European Tour
Macklemore announced independent European concerts for humanitarian aid.MEGA
While Sheeran continued his tour, the ousted artists took independent action in response to the situation.
Macklemore launched a three-concert "Free Palestine" tour across Europe, designating all proceeds from the shows to support organizations providing aid to the Palestinian people.
The fallout from the Loop tour has since sparked broader discussions within the music industry regarding artist expression, corporate censorship and the responsibility of headlining performers during political controversies.
Read more at OK!
Get OK!'s biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.
FOLLOW OK! ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, entertainment, and pop culture via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
