Ed Sheeran faces fresh backlash as Irish radio station drops his music

An Irish radio station has dropped British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s music from its playlist amid controversy over rapper Macklemore’s removal from his US tour following his pro-Palestine advocacy. 

Classic Hits Radio in Ireland said the singer, known for hits such as ‘Galway Girl’ and 'Thinking Out Loud', would no longer be featured on the station for the "foreseeable future", in response to "reaction from our listeners". 

In a statement, Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, which runs the station, said: "Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered. 

"It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events. 

"As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions. 

"Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views. 

"In light of the strength of feeling expressed by our listeners and the decisions taken by Irish artists involved in the tour, we believe removing Ed Sheeran’s music from our playlist is the appropriate decision for Classic Hits Radio at this time."

The station added that the decision to drop the British singer’s music would remain “under review”. 

The move comes after all support acts on Sheeran’s current Loop Tour, including Irish artist Aaron Rowe and Sheeran’s backing band Beoga, withdrew from the remaining dates in response to Macklemore’s removal from the tour. 

Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, made comments in support of Palestine while performing as a support act at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.  

His subsequent removal from the tour prompted an international backlash, including within the music industry, amid concerns over artistic freedom and the conflation of pro-Palestine advocacy with anti-Jewish sentiment.  

The rapper has since announced that he donated his US$1 million (£747,328) in net tour earnings to charities supporting Palestinian people, amid the genocidal war in Gaza and Israeli settler and military violence in the West Bank.  

He also challenged US billionaire Robert Kraft, who called for his removal from the tour, to match his donation. 

Kraft subsequently said Sheeran had asked him to match a $2 million donation before Macklemore announced his pledge. 

On Tuesday, Sheeran defended himself against growing backlash in a lengthy social media post, arguing that Macklemore’s departure from the tour was the promoter’s decision and not his, after a pro-Israel boycott was launched calling for the Grammy Award-winning rapper to be removed. 

He said “upcoming tour dates had communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting”, adding that Kraft’s Gillette Stadium was among them.