Greta Thunberg and Ms Rachel criticise Ed Sheeran as Macklemore tour row deepens

Ed Sheeran faces growing public criticism after climate activist Greta Thunberg and children’s educator Ms Rachel spoke out in the wake of rapper Macklemore being removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour.

What happened

The dispute began after Macklemore made outspoken pro-Palestinian comments during a performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4, and was subsequently removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s tour.

Ed Sheeran has said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter and venues, rather than by him personally. Sheeran also described the suffering caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict as a “human tragedy” and said he was “appalled” by the suffering, while stating he did not want his concerts to become political platforms.

Greta Thunberg: “lack of spine” and a call for action

Greta Thunberg entered the debate by criticising Sheeran’s handling of the controversy, saying:

“Ed Sheeran should be held accountable for his lack of spine.”

Thunberg argued that people with significant public platforms have greater responsibilities. She said:

“The bigger your platform and your access to resources, the bigger your responsibility.”

She urged action beyond statements, calling for measures including “boycotts, sanctions and divestment.” Thunberg also warned:

“If we ourselves are not stepping out of our comfort zones, we are not doing enough. And remember, silence is complicity and you cannot be neutral in a genocide.”

Ms Rachel urges focus on children suffering

Children’s educator and YouTube star Ms Rachel (Rachel Accurso) also weighed in, urging attention to children and civilians affected by what she described as a “genocide.” She said:

“Just a reminder who we need to focus on. We need to focus on kids and people who are suffering in an ongoing genocide.”

Ms Rachel referred to a child named Kinan and said his entire family had been killed. She highlighted an acronym she said was being used in Gaza:

“WCNSF – Wounded child No Surviving Family,”

and explained the term referred to children wounded with no surviving family members.

She broadened her comments to include other crises, saying children in Gaza, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo were suffering, and argued the international response can vary by race:

“When children who have white skin are suffering, the world unites to come to their aid and speak out”

and:

“Kids in Sudan, Gaza and the DRC are being killed and suffering and starving and people who are comfortable and have privilege turn away. It’s racism and it makes me sick.”

Wider fallout and positions

The removal of Macklemore from the tour prompted further controversy, including withdrawals by other artists associated with the tour and public defence of Macklemore by his supporters. The episode has fuelled debate over the responsibility of artists with large platforms to speak about humanitarian crises, and left Sheeran facing increased criticism over how the situation was handled.

Ongoing debate

The dispute continues to prompt discussion beyond the music industry about when and how public figures should use their platforms in response to humanitarian crises, with voices on different sides defending free expression or urging more visible action.