Frequently, I regret consuming info from social media sites because there’s so much awful stuff being inflicted on people and planet. As a result, I’m making an effort to limit my time online. However, I just logged on and am SO glad I did because what I’ve learned has warmed my heart. Here’s a summary and timeline:

• Ed Sheeran is a successful musician on tour right now, performing at U.S. stadiums. Macklemore was an opening act on Sheeran’s tour.

Macklemore (Getty image)

• On September 4, while performing at New Jersy’s MetLife Stadium, Macklemore spoke in favor of Palestine. Per HuffingtonPost, Macklemore proclaimed: “Free Palestine,” before his performance of “Hind’s Hall,” which he said was inspired by the protests at Columbia University. “I want those words to be loud and clear, so the people from Gaza all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.”
• Afterward, another musician who is not part of the tour, Pink, said that Macklemore should apologize for his September 4 statements and refund the fans.
• Yesterday, Macklemore was dropped from the Ed Sheeran stadium tour. Robert Kraft, billionaire owner of the New England Patriots football team, rallied other billionaire NFL team owners to pressure Ed Sheeran into banning Macklemore from the tour, threatening to not allow Sheeran to perform in their stadiums if Macklemore remained part of the tour. (Note: Kraft was instrumental in ending quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s career when Kaep had the audacity to take a knee during the national anthem.  Also? Kraft is in the Epstein files.)
• Sheeran offered a weak statement, saying it was the promoter’s decision, not his, to drop Macklemore.  He went on to say “my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.” 
• Sheeran was quickly blasted by Ms. Rachel, the children’s entertainer who has been a vocal supporter of Palestine for years. “Imagine looking back 20 years from now at yourself kicking someone off a tour because they spoke out during a genocide that has killed over 20,000 kids.”

Yes, Ms. Rachel’s statement warmed my heart but I wasn’t surprised. She’s been solid on Palestine for a long time. (Nor did Macklemore surprise me since he’s been calling out the genocide since 2023). What did surprise me? Today’s events!

Today, Ed Sheeran not only lost the three opening acts on his tour, he also lost his touring band! Per the Chicago Tribune:
“Hours after Sheeran posted on social media about Macklemore’s ouster and attributed the decision to the tour’s promoters, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas posted on Instagram that they were leaving the tour.

Rowe and Lukas Graham would have been replacements for Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga was serving as Sheeran’s touring band. Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year.”

This is a big deal. These are not wealthy, big-name artists. These are musicians who were scheduled to play in front of the biggest audiences of their careers. Despite that, they stood on their principles and said NO. They stood in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.

Here’s what the touring band, Beoga, posted:

 

“We are Irish people who understand colonialism.”

I admire the hell out of all these musicians who walk their talk. This is a huge win for our shared humanity.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.