Ed Sheeran’s music has been pulled from an Irish radio station amid the escalating fallout over Macklemore’s removal from his Loop Tour. Classic Hits Radio, a Dublin-based station with reach into Cork, Limerick, and Galway, confirmed it will no longer play Sheeran’s tracks “for the foreseeable future” following listener feedback and the decisions of Irish artists to withdraw from the tour.
Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, said the decision was “carefully considered” and “not intended as a personal judgement on Ed Sheeran.” He added that the station believes “it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions”. The Ed Sheeran Irish radio ban came after Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga, Sheeran’s backing group, both withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
The controversy began after Macklemore said “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall” during Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining tour dates, with Sheeran stating the decision was made by the promoter and venues, not him. Macklemore has since donated his $1 million tour earnings to Palestinian charities and challenged Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to match the donation.
