Massive Attack have sharply criticized Ed Sheeran for what they describe as «neutrality» in the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's tour. The Bristol trip-hop group posted a statement on Instagram saying that «entertainment can never be bigger than resisting the apartheid & genocide of fellow human beings» and that «'neutrality' in the face of the slaughter of more than 20,000 children can never be neutrality.»
The dispute began when Macklemore, who was opening for Sheeran in New Jersey, delivered an on-stage speech calling for «all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality» and for a «free Palestine.» The Israeli-American Council subsequently called for his removal, claiming he had used his platform to «advance a one-sided political agenda.» Macklemore was then taken off the tour.
Macklemore defended his remarks, saying the pursuit of equality «should never be controversial.» He also claimed that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, launched a campaign pressuring Sheeran to drop him or the shows could not proceed. Kraft later defended his actions. Sheeran responded by saying he was «not complicit» in the decision and that he had spent the past week «trying to build bridges, to find a solution» but was «unable to do so.»
In their statement, Massive Attack also said that «no artist should tolerate the censorship of another artist, however many millions of dollars are in play.» They described an «arc of state, corporate and media silence that allowed a genocide to take place» and accused it of seeking to «coerce high profile artists and actors into that silence.» The band concluded by expressing solidarity with «all artists risking their careers in defence of the rights of the Palestinian people, & against the illegal occupation, apartheid, war crimes & ongoing genocide perpetrated by the State of Israel.»
The fallout has extended beyond the initial decision. Previous support acts have spoken out about the controversy, and current support acts lined up for the tour have all backed out in solidarity with Macklemore and the people of Palestine. Roger Waters also weighed in, calling Sheeran a «little prick» for not fighting harder to keep Macklemore on the tour. Sheeran has yet to respond to the support acts pulling out or to the comments from Massive Attack and Waters.
Massive Attack have been vocal supporters of Palestine for years and have boycotted performing in Israel since 1999. Earlier this year, Robert Del Naja was among more than 500 people arrested during a London demonstration against the ban on Palestine Action. He later criticized what he called the government's «draconian» response and described his arrest as «unlawful.» In February, the band responded to the original ban on Palestine Action being deemed unlawful by the High Court, claiming then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer «wanted to punish those who made their complicity in a genocide visible.»
Over the summer, Massive Attack performed at the Star Theatre in Singapore and held the Palestinian flag over their heads from the stage while joining audience chants of «Free Palestine.» Two unnamed band members were subsequently issued «stern warnings» and banned from re-entering Singapore, while authorities said they would not approve any future applications for the group to perform in the country. The band went on to claim that their entire group was detained and some had their passports confiscated in Singapore after displaying the flag on stage.
The ongoing dispute has highlighted growing tensions in the music industry over artists' political speech and the pressure to remain silent on international conflicts. With support acts withdrawing and prominent figures like Massive Attack and Waters speaking out, the controversy shows no sign of fading, leaving Sheeran under increasing scrutiny for his handling of the situation.