Ed Sheeran Tour Backlash Erupts Into Family Feud as Cousin Says 'He's Not a Good Person'

Jethro Sheeran has publicly criticised his cousin Ed Sheeran as fallout continues over Macklemore's removal from the singer's US LOOP Tour.

Jethro, who performs as Alonestar, made the comments on Facebook after promoter Messina Touring Group removed Macklemore from upcoming dates following his pro-Palestinian remarks at two New Jersey shows.

After Macklemore performed at Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium concerts on 4 and 5 September. Messina Touring Group announced on Monday, 14 September, that the rapper would no longer appear at the remaining dates, saying venues would not allow concerts to proceed with him on the lineup.

Sheeran addressed the controversy the next day and said the promoter, not him, made the final decision. Against that backdrop, Jethro revived an older, more personal dispute with his cousin.

Jethro Sheeran Revives Earlier Family Grievances

In his Facebook post, Jethro said he was 'ashamed' of Ed and claimed people were finally 'seeing through' the singer. He also called his cousin 'not a good person' and said his criticism stemmed from his own experiences.

Jethro said the pair spent school holidays writing songs together before their relationship later deteriorated. He alleged Ed treated him badly after becoming famous.

He went further, describing his cousin as a 'selfish individual with malicious, cunning ways.' That is Jethro's personal characterisation and has not been independently substantiated.

His intervention does not appear to stem from any involvement in the current LOOP Tour negotiations. Instead, the Macklemore controversy has provided a fresh public setting for grievances Jethro has raised before.

The cousins previously worked together on the 2010 track 'Raise 'Em Up,' which later appeared in the 2013 film All Stars. Their musical relationship subsequently became the subject of another dispute.

In 2024, Jethro alleged that lawyers acting for Warner Music demanded changes to artwork and references connected with a later version of the track. He said he complied but criticised how the matter was handled.

That account came from Jethro and should not be treated as an independently established finding. The latest Facebook allegations similarly remain his account of the cousins' relationship.

The timing has nevertheless pulled their family history back into view, just as Sheeran is facing scrutiny over Macklemore's removal.

Ed Sheeran Says Macklemore Decision Came From Promoter

Macklemore's departure followed his appearances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 and 5 September, where he made pro-Palestinian remarks during his performances.

Messina Touring Group later said venues had informed the promoter that concerts would not go ahead with Macklemore on the bill. Sheeran said he spent the following days talking with venues, promoters and activists while trying to reach a compromise.

He said those discussions included Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium. 'Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision; it was not mine,' Sheeran said.

He also said Macklemore's contract was with the promoter, not with him. That explains Sheeran's account of how the decision was formally made, though it does not by itself settle the wider question of how much influence a stadium-level headliner may have over touring decisions.

The controversy widened after Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga withdrew from dates connected with the tour. Their roles differed: some were booked for later appearances, and Beoga also performed within Sheeran's own set.

Sheeran said he would continue with the shows because fans had already made plans and touring staff depended on the concerts for work. He has also said his performances are intended to focus on 'unity, joy, escapism, love' rather than politics.

Online reaction has been divided, with some users criticising Sheeran's explanation while others have pointed to the promoter's role and the venues' position. Such comments remain anecdotal and do not reflect wider public opinion.

Jethro's latest remarks do not clarify what happened behind the scenes with Macklemore. They instead reopen a separate family dispute at a moment when Sheeran's tour decisions are already under unusually intense scrutiny.