Jack Antonoff has criticised Ed Sheeran for the way he handled the controversy surrounding his Loop Tour, urging the singer to « stand the fuck up » against billionaires who, in Antonoff's view, dictate what artists can say and do.
The row began after Macklemore was dropped as a support act for Sheeran's tour following a speech in which he called for a « free Palestine ». After the remarks on stage, Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, said he found the speech « deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community ». Following further criticism from Pink and the Israeli American Council, Macklemore was removed from the tour.
Many artists responded in support of Macklemore. Greta Thunberg, Massive Attack, Roger Waters, Dropkick Murphys, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Billy Bragg, Lorde and Hayley Williams all voiced backing for him. Sheeran's band and other tour support acts also pulled out of the shows in solidarity with the rapper. Sheeran had earlier said he was « not complicit » in the decision to remove Macklemore and was « appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine », describing the suffering on both sides as a « tragedy ». He later returned to the stage in Philadelphia, apologised for « making mistakes », and announced more support acts.
In an interview with The Guardian, Antonoff defended Macklemore's comments, saying they were « not in any way a strange, uncomfortable or controversial thing to say, it's a deeply human thing to say ». He said he would not accept being told what to say by a promoter, adding: « Don't book me. I'll play for free outside. » He argued that Sheeran « missed a massive, beautiful opportunity » to turn the controversy into fundraising for non-profit organisations, suggesting he could have cancelled the tour, performed for free outside each venue and raised money instead of letting « a fucking billionaire tell you what to do ».
Antonoff framed the episode as part of a broader pattern. « The reason it's not an anomaly or niche issue is because we all live in a world where billionaires are constantly telling us what to do, » he said. « So stand the fuck up. »
Macklemore has since donated his entire $1 million earnings from the tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians. He has also launched a Free Palestine Tour, which has already sold out and includes guest appearances from Kneecap, Hozier and others.