Jack Antonoff Discusses Ed Sheeran’s Macklemore Controversy
Vulture • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Jack Antonoff criticized Ed Sheeran for removing Macklemore as an opener on his Loop Tour after Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft threatened to cancel the shows due to Macklemore's pro-Gaza remarks.
- Antonoff believes Sheeran missed a "massive, beautiful opportunity" to support free speech by not standing up to Kraft, suggesting Sheeran could have canceled the tour and performed outside venues for free instead.
- Antonoff emphasized the broader issue of billionaires controlling artists' messages and urged musicians to resist such pressures.
- Antonoff has openly supported Palestine prior to the controversy and recently incorporated "Free Palestine" into a song lyric during a Berkeley concert, describing the statement as a "deeply human thing to say."
- Sheeran’s concerts at Gillette Stadium were ultimately canceled due to severe weather, not directly because of the controversy.
