Gilbert took to X on Friday, Sept. 18, to label Sheeran the greatest British artist of the century, urging followers to respect his desire to focus solely on music. The endorsement backfired immediately, as critics contrasted Sheeran’s current silence with his vocal support for Ukraine in previous years. Users accused the pop star of hypocrisy, with some claiming the controversy has permanently damaged his legacy.
The fallout extends beyond online criticism. Sheeran’s scheduled performance at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field faced visible struggles, with hundreds of tickets remaining on the resale market just hours before the event. Conversely, interest in Macklemore’s independent tour dates has spiked; ticket prices for his upcoming Red Rocks show jumped 45% in three days, according to data from TicketData founder Keith Pagello.
Amid the tension, both artists have moved to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Macklemore pledged $1 million of his tour earnings to aid organizations, while Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft revealed that Sheeran privately committed $2 million to similar efforts. Despite these contributions, the tour continues to face logistical and reputational hurdles, including the departure of other performers and radio stations distancing themselves from Sheeran’s catalog.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!