Katseye unfollows Ed Sheeran on Instagram as Gaza row widens

On September 18, the Korean girl group Katseye unfollowed Ed Sheeran on Instagram amid a widening controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's Loop tour. The group's members, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae, ceased following the singer, with Lara and Megan liking a post Macklemore shared after being dropped from the tour.

Lara subsequently began following Macklemore on Instagram. Sheeran had co-written Katseye's third EP, Animal, released in July. The group's decision has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some supporting the members and others calling for the group to remove Animal from future sets. Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran's tour following his support for Palestinians during a New Jersey performance on September 5.

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group subsequently announced Sheeran would no longer perform on the remaining dates. Macklemore and Sheeran are described as friends, with Macklemore stating Sheeran's "apolitical stance" had been challenged in a way it never had before. The controversy has also caught the attention of environmental activist Greta Thunberg and celebrities such as Kehlani, Zara Larsson, Florence Pugh, and Nicola Coughlan, who have liked or commented on Macklemore's posts.

Four other opening acts on the tour, Finneas O’Connell, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Lukas Graham, announced they would not perform on the remaining dates. The Loop tour is set to resume on Saturday in Philadelphia.