Jack Antonoff Slams Ed Sheeran for Bowing to a Billionaire in Macklemore Tour Debacle: ‘Stand the F–k Up’
Jack Antonoff criticised Ed Sheeran for continuing his Loop Tour after Macklemore was removed from the supporting line-up. Antonoff said Sheeran missed an opportunity to challenge pressure from billionaire Robert Kraft and other stadium owners, arguing he could have cancelled the tour and played free shows to raise money for Palestinian aid.
Macklemore was dropped in September after performing “Free Palestine” demonstrations at two New Jersey shows, following objections from venue owners. Sheeran said he had explored alternatives with Kraft but chose to continue without Macklemore, describing his approach as keeping conversations open. Macklemore later said he donated the $1 million he earned on the tour to Palestinian aid; Sheeran and Kraft also pledged funds to humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Antonoff also criticised Live Nation’s influence over the live music industry.
In short
- Antonoff says Sheeran should have challenged pressure to remove Macklemore.
- Macklemore was dropped after pro-Palestinian demonstrations at two shows.
- Macklemore donated his $1 million tour earnings to Palestinian aid.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Antonoff’s strongest case is that prominent artists can use their bargaining power to resist pressure that sidelines political expression, especially when the affected performer is advocating for civilians in need. Cancelling the tour or staging free benefit shows could have made that principle visible and raised substantial aid, while continuing risked signalling that commercial relationships took priority. From this view, keeping talks open is insufficient if it does not change the outcome.
The case against
Sheeran’s strongest case is that staying on the tour preserved a platform for engagement and humanitarian fundraising, while avoiding a cancellation that could have cost workers and communities their income without restoring Macklemore to the line-up. He says he explored alternatives with Kraft, and both he and Kraft pledged aid; a less confrontational approach may keep access open for further dialogue. Artists can reasonably differ on whether public withdrawal or continued negotiation is more likely to help.
Explained simply
Jack Antonoff is a songwriter and producer, Ed Sheeran is a singer on a stadium tour, and Macklemore is a rapper who had been booked to support him. The dispute followed Macklemore’s removal from the tour after he performed pro-Palestinian demonstrations at two New Jersey shows and venue owners objected.
The row centres on how musicians and concert organisers respond to pressure from venue owners, and whether artists should risk cancelling shows to make a political point. It also touches on the power of large concert companies such as Live Nation in shaping who can perform and where.