Hayley Williams has shown solidary for the artists no longer supporting Ed Sheeran on tour.
The Paramore singer has shown her support for a number of acts who were due to open for the A-Team hitmaker on his upcoming Loop shows before Macklemore was dropped over his “Free Palestine” speech earlier this month.
The rapper was removed from the tour, while Ed’s other support acts and backing band have all dropped out.
Earlier this week, Hayley featured them all on her pre-show playlist as fans waited for her to hit the stage at New York’s Forest Hills Stadium.
The playlist included Macklemore tracks Can’t Hold Us and Thrift Shop, Lukas Graham’s Mama Said, Rowe’s The Lane, Beoga’s Aurora and For Cryin’ Out Loud by Finneas.
She had also re-shared a satirical post on social media in an apparent nod to Ed’s statement on the matter.
The tongue in cheek post read: “Hey guys I’ve seen all the atrocities going on and I just want you to know I am keeping the conversation open by saying nothing.
“I am a role model (product) and it’s important that I don’t disappoint my young fans (investors and shareholders) by being political.
“My shows are something so much bigger than politics – they are commerce.”
Ed’s Loop tour has been mired in controversy since Macklemore, 43, used his opening slot at a New Jersey gig earlier this month to lend his support to the people of Palestine.
He then revealed on Monday (15.09.26) he had subsequently been removed from the line-up following an alleged backlash from venue owners.
The Bad Habits singer later released his own statement in which he insisted he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine”, stressed it was ultimately “the promoter’s decision” to axe Macklemore from the bill, and explained he doesn’t “use [his] professional platform for politics” because he wants to offer “safety and sanctuary” to fans of all backgrounds and beliefs, but he has faced widespread criticism.
The row started when Macklemore took to the stage to open Ed’s Loop Tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, and he told the crowd: “One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine. I said, Free Palestine!”
He later revealed he had been removed from the tour but insisted he didn’t blame Ed.
He wrote on Instagram: “I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth. Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour.”
Macklemore told how he had shared some “difficult conversations” with his “friend” Ed in recent days, but insisted he doesn’t want to “tear down” the star’s character.
The Thrift Shop hitmaker also claimed Robert Kraft – the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium – left Ed in a “f***** up position” in terms of his position on the tour.
Macklemore challenged Kraft to match a $1 million donation to charities providing aid for Palestinian people.
The sports mogul later claimed Ed had already asked him to match a $2 million donation.