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The chaos surrounding the tour started after Macklemore said “Free Palestine” on stage.
When political tensions and world events collide with the commercial music industry, reactions can be both swift and powerful.
The threshold for what followers accept has become increasingly low in the digital landscape.
Now, British global star Ed Sheeran is facing a major storm after an inflamed conflict.
According to LADBible, over one hundred thousand followers have left the singer’s Instagram account in a short period.
The background is that American rapper Macklemore was suddenly removed from the artist’s ongoing world tour after a statement about the situation in Palestine.
Withdrawals from fellow artists
Macklemore claimed that venue owners issued an ultimatum that forced him off the stage.
Ed Sheeran quickly issued his own explanation to address the growing storm of criticism online.
“Macklemore leaving the tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me,” Ed Sheeran said in his statement.
However, the explanation has not quelled the wave of anger. Several opening acts have, in protest, chosen to withdraw from the tour entirely in solidarity with the removed rapper.
Irish singer Aaron Rowe was one of the first to throw in the towel.
Storm of criticism grows rapidly
Shortly thereafter, American producer Finneas and the group Beoga also announced that they were canceling their performances.
The Danish band Lukas Graham also chose to leave the lineup after the announcement.
“We should be able to talk about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them,” Lukas Graham wrote on Instagram.
The withdrawals put severe pressure on the tour organization while angry comments continue to pour in on the star’s profiles.
