Jack Antonoff, a producer and member of the band Bleachers, publicly criticises Ed Sheeran for removing Macklemore from a tour amid controversy over Macklemore’s pro-Palestine comments. Multiple outlets report Antonoff took aim at how Sheeran handled the dispute, framing the issue around pressure and how artists should respond.
Across coverage, Antonoff is described as aligning himself with Macklemore’s stance and arguing that Sheeran should have chosen a different course, such as cancelling shows rather than conceding to outside demands. Newsweek and other outlets also highlight Antonoff’s criticism of Sheeran’s approach, while The Independent emphasises Antonoff’s remarks about the human aspect of what Macklemore said. Rolling Stone and entertainment-focused outlets portray Antonoff as suggesting Sheeran “caved” to a billionaire-driven pressure campaign.
While all accounts tie the controversy to Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” messaging and Sheeran’s tour decision, outlets differ in what they foreground—some leading with the expletive-heavy language, others with the rationale that Sheeran should have resisted backlash and pressure more forcefully.
