{
  "id": 7589850,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran Says Decision to Drop Macklemore From Tour ‘Was Not Mine’: ‘I Have Spent This Week Trying to Build Bridges’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-decision-to-drop-macklemore-from-tour-was-not-mine-i",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T16:15:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ed-sheeran-drop-macklemore-from-tour-decision-not-mine-1236340495/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran has addressed the backlash surrounding the removal of Macklemore from his tour, clarifying his stance on the conflict in Gaza and his approach to activism. In an Instagram post, Sheeran stated that his decision was not his own, but rather that of the venues and promoters involved. He expressed his disappointment over the cancellation of Macklemore's performances due to their \"Free Palestine\" demonstrations at two tour shows. Sheeran spent the past week trying to reconcile with all parties involved, but unfortunately was unable to find a solution. Despite this, he continued to emphasize his respect for Macklemore's stance on the issue and his own personal views on the conflict.",
  "summary": "\"It's important that I set out some facts,\" he captioned his post.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Pro-Israel billionaire Robert Kraft led campaign to drop Macklemore from Ed Sheeran tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/pro-israel-billionaire-robert-kraft-led-campaign-to-drop-macklemore",
        "published": "2026-09-15T12:29:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran tour sparks debate over political speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/macklemores-removal-from-ed-sheeran-tour-sparks-debate-over-political",
        "published": "2026-09-15T13:32:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Kneecap back Macklemore after Ed Sheeran tour removal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/kneecap-back-macklemore-after-ed-sheeran-tour-removal",
        "published": "2026-09-15T13:55:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour for pro-Palestinian sentiments onstage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheerans-tour-for-pro-palestinian",
        "published": "2026-09-15T14:14:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran speaks out after Macklemore dropped from tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-speaks-out-after-macklemore-dropped-from-tour",
        "published": "2026-09-15T15:48:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says it was 'not my decision' to drop Macklemore from tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-it-was-not-my-decision-to-drop-macklemore-from-tour",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:01:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says decision to drop Macklemore was not his",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-decision-to-drop-macklemore-was-not-his",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:53:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran Weighs In On “Promoter’s Decision” To Drop Macklemore From Loop Tour; Details Efforts “Trying To Build Bridges”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-weighs-in-on-promoters-decision-to-drop-macklemore-from",
        "published": "2026-09-15T17:18:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}