Roger Waters has criticised Ed Sheeran following the removal of Macklemore from Sheeran’s North American tour after the rapper made pro-Palestine remarks during two shows earlier this month.
The Pink Floyd co-founder, who has publicly expressed support for Palestine, addressed Sheeran in a video posted on social media on Tuesday night. The clip was titled “Ed Who?”
Roger Waters targets Ed Sheeran
In the video, Waters directly addressed Sheeran over the decision involving Macklemore, who had been due to perform as an opening act on the tour.
“I just have a little message for you. There’s two kinds of people in this world, Ed. There’s people who do the right thing, that rapper Macklemore would be one of those people. And there’s people, many of them sadly little f…. excuse me, I nearly used the F-word then, pricks like you who do the wrong thing. Goodbye.”
Waters’ comments came hours after Sheeran issued a statement addressing the controversy and insisted that Macklemore’s removal was not his decision.
Ed Sheeran says promoter removed Macklemore
Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour came from the promoter rather than from him personally.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine.”
Sheeran said venue owners involved with his Loop Tour had threatened to withdraw their shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
He explained that he did not want to cancel performances or disappoint fans who had already made plans to attend, while also pointing to the impact on the touring crew and other musicians working on the dates.
Sheeran also addressed the wider Israel-Palestine conflict, saying that his decision not to speak publicly about it should not be interpreted as support for either side.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
Finneas and other acts leave Sheeran tour
Following the controversy, all three remaining opening acts announced their departure from the upcoming tour dates.
Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham withdrew from the shows in solidarity with Macklemore. Sheeran’s backing band, Beoga, also announced that they would no longer take part in the remaining dates.
Finneas said:
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”
The departures came after Macklemore had used two recent performances to speak publicly in support of Palestine, prompting criticism and ultimately leading to his removal from the tour lineup.
When is Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour returning?
Sheeran’s Loop Tour is scheduled to continue in Philadelphia on 19 September 2026.
Following the departures of Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga, it has not yet been confirmed who will perform as the opening act for the upcoming dates.
The dispute has now involved Sheeran, Macklemore, Waters and several musicians who were scheduled to appear on the tour, with the performers taking different public positions over how artists should respond to the conflict and the role of political expression at major concerts.
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