Hayley Williams has expressed solidarity with the musicians who have withdrawn their support for Ed Sheeran on his tour.
The Paramore frontwoman has publicly backed several acts that were slated to open for the A-Team star on his forthcoming Loop trek, prior to Macklemore being removed after his "Free Palestine" remarks earlier this month.
Macklemore was cut from the tour, while Ed’s remaining opening acts and backing group also pulled out.
Earlier this week, Williams included all of them on her pre-show playlist as fans waited for her to take the stage at New York’s Forest Hills Stadium.
The playlist featured Macklemore’s Can’t Hold Us and Thrift Shop, Lukas Graham’s Mama Said, Rowe’s The Lane, Beoga’s Aurora, and Finneas’s For Cryin’ Out Loud.
She also re-shared a satirical post on social media that appeared to reference Ed’s stance on the matter.
The tongue-in-cheek message read: "Hey folks I’ve seen all the atrocities going on and I want you to know I am keeping the conversation open by saying nothing."
"I am a role model (product) and it’s important that I don’t disappoint my young fans (investors and shareholders) by being political.
"My shows are something so much bigger than politics – they are commerce.”
Ed’s Loop tour has been mired in controversy since Macklemore, 43, used his opening slot at a New Jersey gig earlier this month to lend his support to the people of Palestine.
He then revealed on Monday (15.09.26) that he had subsequently been removed from the lineup following an alleged backlash from venue owners.
The Bad Habits singer later released his own statement in which he insisted he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine", stressed it was ultimately "the promoter’s decision" to axe Macklemore from the bill, and explained he doesn’t “use [his] professional platform for politics" because he wants to offer "safety and sanctuary" to fans of all backgrounds and beliefs, but he has faced widespread criticism.
The row started when Macklemore took to the stage to open Ed’s Loop Tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, and he told the crowd: "One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine. I said, Free Palestine!"
He later revealed he had been removed from the tour but insisted he didn’t blame Ed.
He wrote on Instagram: "I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth. Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour."
Macklemore told how he had shared some "difficult conversations" with his "friend" Ed in recent days, but insisted he doesn’t want to "tear down" the star’s character.
The Thrift Shop hitmaker also claimed Robert Kraft – the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium – left Ed in a "f***** up position" in terms of his position on the tour.
Macklemore challenged Kraft to match a $1 million donation to charities providing aid for Palestinian people.
The sports mogul later claimed Ed had already asked him to match a $2 million donation.
