U2 Weigh In on Ed Sheeran and Macklemore Tour Controversy

U2 have weighed in on Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour, backing the rapper’s right to speak out while cautioning against blaming Sheeran.

“We totally support Macklemore’s right as an artist to say what he wanted to say,” the Edge said in an interview with BBC News. “I don’t think Ed should be vilified,” he added, acknowledging the difficult position Sheeran had been in. The guitarist also praised the artists who left Sheeran’s tour in solidarity, framing the dispute as a matter of free expression.

Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. went further. “Artists can choose whether they want to be politically active or not. It’s a human right,” he said. “But we as a band will fight for the right to speak your mind as long as it doesn’t incite violence. And even if we disagree with it or don’t like it, nobody has a right – no billionaire, no promoter, no owner has the right to censor anybody. They will definitely not be censoring us ever.”

Macklemore was dropped from the North American leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour in September after two opening sets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he said “Free Palestine,” spoke about Gaza and the West Bank, and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Promoter Messina Touring Group said venues on the remaining dates would not allow the shows to go ahead with him on the bill.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed he barred the rapper from Gillette Stadium, citing his comments and what Kraft called “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.”

Sheeran said the decision belonged to the promoter. Several acts left the tour in response, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Irish folk band Beoga, which had been performing with Sheeran each night. Sheeran later opened a show in Philadelphia by apologizing for “mistakes” in his handling of the situation.

Macklemore has since played three sold-out Free Palestine benefit concerts in Dublin, Paris and London, with guests including Hozier, Kneecap and Beoga, raising money for organizations supporting Palestinians.

U2 release Carnaval De Luz, their 16th studio album and first full-length of new material in nine years, on Nov. 13. The album closes with “Torn,” a duet with the late Dolly Parton that the band says was her last recorded vocal performance.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.