Ed Sheeran Suffers Major Blow Following Macklemore Controversy and Admits Friends Are 'Backing Away'

Ed Sheeran's Instagram following has declined amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from the remaining US dates of Sheeran's Loop Tour, while Sheeran has said some friends and family members have been distancing themselves.

Macklemore announced on 14 September that he had been removed from the remaining US dates after performing at Sheeran's MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey earlier that month. During his 4 September set, the rapper said 'Free Palestine' and performed his 2024 protest song 'Hind's Hall'. The tour promoter said the decision followed venue restrictions.

Sheeran's Instagram following was reported at 47.6 million before Macklemore's removal and 47.2 million by 23 September, a decline of about 400,000 based on those rounded figures.

Recent reports indicate that Sheeran lost more than 439,000 Instagram followers over a 30-day period, according to social media analytics. The figures show a decline in his following but do not establish why individual users unfollowed him.

At his Philadelphia show on 19 September, Sheeran described the previous week as 'weird' and said people he had known for years were 'kind of backing away'. He also said people had urged him to cancel the tour and that he felt friends and family were abandoning him.

Sheeran told the audience that he saw '50,000 people who haven't abandoned me', referring to his own description of the crowd.

Dispute Over Macklemore's Removal

Behind the scenes, the dispute has centred on venue access and how Macklemore's political message was handled.

Macklemore alleged in an Instagram statement that Robert Kraft, owner and chairman of the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium, told Sheeran that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at the venue. He also alleged that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners to oppose his participation.

Kraft later confirmed that he had opposed Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, citing 'recent actions' and what he described as a 'broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery'. However, Kraft's confirmation did not independently establish every detail of Macklemore's account.

Sheeran said in his own statement that Macklemore's removal was the promoter's decision, adding that the rapper's contract was with the promoter rather than with him. He said he had tried to 'build a bridge' between the sides but that the dispute ultimately concerned how 'Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance'.

Reputation expert Eric Schiffer told reporters that Sheeran's handling of the controversy was 'lethally stupid' and warned that the fallout posed a danger to his career. Schiffer's comments were his assessment of the potential reputational impact rather than a prediction of a specific commercial outcome.

Family Criticism and Security Concerns

The controversy has also drawn public criticism from within Sheeran's family.

His cousin Jethro Sheeran criticised him in an Instagram post, describing him as 'selfish' and saying he had 'malicious, cunning ways'. Jethro also alleged that Sheeran was promoting what he considered a misleading narrative to protect his business interests. Those comments were Jethro's allegations and have not been independently established.

Ahead of the Philadelphia concert, Sheeran removed the B-stage from the production, saying he was concerned that objects could be thrown at him if he moved into the middle of the crowd. Philadelphia police also said they were increasing security for the concert.

Supporting Acts Withdraw

Four supporting acts or touring collaborators, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas, subsequently withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Rowe and Lukas Graham had been scheduled for remaining US dates, while Beoga had been performing with Sheeran. Finneas was due to appear on the South American leg.

Some fans have sought refunds following Macklemore's removal and the subsequent lineup changes. The Massachusetts attorney general's office said it was reviewing consumer complaints. However, ticket terms stated that opening acts were subject to change and that lineup changes did not necessarily entitle purchasers to refunds.

Sheeran's next scheduled tour dates are Friday and Saturday, 25 and 26 September, at Gillette Stadium, where Kraft had opposed Macklemore's participation.

The longer-term impact on Sheeran's brand, commercial relationships and touring plans remains unclear.

For now, the documented fallout includes a reported decline in his Instagram following, the withdrawal of several supporting acts and Sheeran's own comments that some friends and family members had been distancing themselves.