Ken Casey criticizes Sheeran over Macklemore's removal — Rolling Stone
Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey criticized Ed Sheeran after rapper Macklemore was removed from Sheeran's Loop Tour. Macklemore stopped performing on the tour after making onstage statements in support of Palestinians and criticizing Israel's war in Gaza, Rolling Stone reports.
Ken Casey's position
In an interview with Boston Public Radio, Casey said that musicians who tour together should support one another. According to him, bands usually choose the artists who will open their concerts themselves, and these performers become part of a shared team on the road.
Casey said that, in his view, Sheeran did not support his tour partner, adding that Dropkick Murphys would have acted differently. He also believes that a promoter should not determine what can happen during a performance, since audiences primarily come for the artists.
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The musician cited Dropkick Murphys' performance at the Rocklahoma festival in Oklahoma as an example. According to him, after the band's onstage statements, about half of the audience left, which angered the venue owner. Casey noted that it is important to him that performers stand by the beliefs they sing about.
Sheeran's explanation and Macklemore's reaction
Sheeran said that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promotion company Messina Touring Group. As Rolling Stone notes, he also linked the decision to pressure from concert venues, which, according to the publication, was organized by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
After being removed from the tour, Macklemore promised to donate $1 million to organizations supporting Palestinians and called on Kraft to match the amount. Kraft said he intended to allocate $2 million in aid for the region to address the humanitarian crisis and said this matched Sheeran's donation. A representative for Sheeran did not provide Rolling Stone with a comment on this statement.
