Ed Sheeran has reportedly lost more than one million Instagram followers as controversy surrounding his Loop Tour continues to grow following Macklemore’s removal from the lineup over the rapper’s pro-Palestinian remarks.
The social-media decline comes during a turbulent period for Sheeran, whose North American tour has faced withdrawals by several supporting artists and his backing band after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining dates.
The controversy began after Macklemore used performances at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5 to voice support for Palestinians, including saying “Free Palestine” and performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” He was subsequently removed from the remaining Loop Tour dates.
Sheeran has maintained that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter rather than by him personally.
The fallout nevertheless spread quickly. Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe withdrew from upcoming appearances in solidarity with Macklemore, while Sheeran’s backing band Beoga also pulled out.
The withdrawals left Sheeran facing significant criticism online, with his Instagram audience now reportedly reflecting some of that backlash.
Macklemore has said he does not blame Sheeran personally for the situation. He alleged that pressure from venue owners played a central role in his removal, while tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that venues had threatened not to host concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
Sheeran addressed the controversy directly during his September 19 concert in Philadelphia. He apologised for mistakes made during the dispute and expressed concern about venues attempting to control what performers can say onstage.
He also spoke directly about Israel and Gaza, describing the October 7 attack in Israel as horrific while characterising what is happening in Gaza as catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate.
Despite the controversy, thousands of fans attended the Philadelphia concert. Sheeran told the audience that the previous week had been one of the hardest periods of his career and said he had felt abandoned as musicians and people close to him distanced themselves from the tour.
The backlash has extended beyond social media. Irish station Classic Hits Radio said it would remove Sheeran’s music from its rotation “for the foreseeable future” following the controversy.
Macklemore, meanwhile, announced that he would donate his reported $1 million in net earnings from the Loop Tour to six organisations providing support to Palestinians.
The reported Instagram decline provides another indication of the reputational pressure surrounding Sheeran, although changes in follower numbers alone cannot establish why individual users unfollowed him.
The Loop Tour is still scheduled to continue through North America, leaving Sheeran to navigate both the remaining performances and a controversy that has expanded far beyond the original decision involving one supporting artist.
