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Jack Antonoff slams Ed Sheeran over Macklemore row
Published 13:14 28 Oct 2026 GMT
Updated 13:14 28 Oct 2026 GMT
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The debate continues
Ed Sheeran has missed a real chance to help, Jack Antonoff has said, as he slammed the singer over the Macklemore tour row.
Antonoff, frontman of Bleachers, has hit out at Ed Sheeran for staying quiet after Macklemore's exit from his Loop Tour, NME has reported.
Instead of letting a promoter dictate what his acts can say, Antonoff told him to "stand the f**k up".
He added that Sheeran missed a bigger opportunity, as he could have cancelled the tour and played free shows outside each venue instead.
Atonoff called it a "massive, beautiful opportunity" the singer let slip.
Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performing during 2026 Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park on October 10, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Credit: Getty Images
Why Macklemore left Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour
Macklemore was dropped as a support act after an on-stage speech calling for a "free Palestine".
The comments were "deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community", Robert Kraft, owner of the Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots said.
Pink and the Israeli American Council criticised the remarks too.
Macklemore was then pulled from the bill.
That prompted several acts pull out of Ed Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Sheeran's own backing band withdrew too, as musicians leaving Ed Sheeran's tour sparked fierce debate online.
Macklemore has since picked up support from a long list of musicians and public figures. They include Lorde, Roger Waters and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
JOE reported early this week on Macklemore's breaking of silence after the Ed Sheeran tour exit.
Jack Antonoff on Ed Sheeran's Macklemore response
Speaking to The Guardian, Antonoff defended Macklemore's comments directly.
He called them "not in any way a strange, uncomfortable or controversial thing to say" and "a deeply human thing to say".
He added he would never let "some f**king promoter" tell him what he could say on stage.
Why was Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour?
Macklemore lost his slot after on-stage Palestine comments drew criticism from Robert Kraft and Pink.
What did Jack Antonoff say about Ed Sheeran?
Antonoff told Sheeran to "stand the f**k up" and said he missed a chance to turn the backlash into a fundraiser.
Antonoff is now the most prominent musician yet to criticise Sheeran by name over the row.
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