Roger Waters takes aim at Ed Sheeran amid Macklemore tour row

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who has long been an outspoken supporter of Palestine, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s "Loop Tour".

Waters shared a clip in which he divided people into two categories, praising Macklemore for what he described as “doing the right thing” before turning his attention to Sheeran.

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“There are two kinds of people in this world,” Waters said. He described Macklemore as someone who “does the right thing” and then criticised Sheeran, saying there are also people “who do the wrong thing”, before ending with a blunt “Goodbye”.

The comments came after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s US tour following pro-Palestine remarks during his opening performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. During the shows, the 43-year-old rapper told audiences that people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank “have not been forgotten” and called for freedom for Palestinians.

Macklemore later said he was informed that Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had contacted Sheeran over his participation in the tour. He claimed Kraft had also approached other stadium owners, creating pressure to remove him from the remaining dates.

The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said several venues had informed them that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform, which could have resulted in the cancellation of Sheeran’s shows. Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining support dates.

Sheeran has rejected the suggestion that he personally decided to remove Macklemore. In a statement, he said the decision was made by the tour promoter and venues, noting that Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter rather than with him.

“I am not complicit,” Sheeran wrote. He said he has personal views on the conflict but had chosen not to express them publicly. He also said he did not want to abandon “the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians” who rely on the tour for work.

Sheeran said he respects Macklemore’s willingness to speak out, while maintaining that he prefers his concerts to remain politically neutral spaces focused on bringing people together.

The fallout has since spread across Sheeran’s touring line-up. Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham withdrew from upcoming shows, while Sheeran’s longtime backing band Beoga also pulled out in solidarity with Macklemore.

The controversy has also drawn support for Macklemore from outside the tour. Kneecap shared a photo with the rapper, while Greta Thunberg and singer Kehlani publicly backed him.

Paloma Faith described Macklemore as “a rare and important voice”, while comedian Jim Norton cancelled performances at two stadiums on Sheeran’s tour route in solidarity.

At the same time, Macklemore has faced criticism. Singer Pink reshared a post accusing him of being anti-Israel, while the Israeli-American Council had previously launched a petition calling for his removal from the tour.

Macklemore has said he understands Sheeran’s position but remains unwilling to stop speaking about Palestine. He has also said that “antisemitism is real” and that his door remains open to Sheeran.

“I didn't need 10 shows from Ed,” Macklemore said. “I needed two. Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say words that somehow became too dangerous to say.”

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Ed Sheeran responds after Macklemore’s removal over pro-Palestine remarks

Sheeran’s "Loop Tour" is scheduled to resume on September 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The remaining dates were originally set to feature Macklemore, although replacement supporting acts have not been confirmed.