Irish radio station Classic Hits Radio has removed Ed Sheeran’s songs from its playlists “for the foreseeable future” after opening act Macklemore was dropped from the Loop tour due to pro-Palestine comments on stage.
RTÉ 100 shared that the move came into effect on Thursday, 17 September. Classic Hits Radio said they understand there are “differing and strongly held views” on the topic, but considering “the reaction from our listeners”, the station felt it best to drop the artist for now.
Dave Kelly, the Group Programme Director at Bay Broadcasting (which owns Classic Hits Radio), said the step was “carefully considered” and is “not intended as a personal judgement on Ed Sheeran”.
He said, “We acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.
“As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.
“Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views.
“In light of the strength of feeling expressed by our listeners and the decisions taken by Irish artists involved in the tour, we believe removing Ed Sheeran’s music from our playlist is the appropriate decision for Classic Hits Radio at this time.”
The station added this position will remain “under review”.
The decision comes while the country’s leading broadcaster, RTÉ, revealed it won’t be airing or participating in Eurovision 2027. In a statement, RTÉ said they couldn’t “justify” involvement in the contest, in which Israel participates, due to “the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk”.
They also cited concerns about the “continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory”.
Ed Sheeran’s Irish band, Beoga, was one of the acts to leave his tour following the Macklemore controversy.
Macklemore has since said he’ll donate $1m of his net earnings from his days on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to charities supporting Palestinian people – with both Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft now reportedly pledging double that each.
You can read Macklemore’s full statement on the Ed Sheeran tour controversy here, and Ed Sheeran’s statement in full here.
