Bob Geldof has defended Ed Sheeran amid controversy over Macklemore reportedly being removed from Sheeran’s ‘Loop’ tour after making pro-Palestinian comments. Geldof said artists should decide for themselves whether to discuss political issues, while praising Macklemore and other musicians who withdrew from the tour in support of their principles.

Geldof criticised Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft and the tour’s promoters rather than Sheeran. At a Philadelphia concert, Sheeran apologised for making mistakes, said he had not intended to become an activist musician, and described the Gaza situation as “catastrophic, unjustifiable, and disproportionate”, while also condemning the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack and expressing concern about venues controlling performers’ speech.