An Irish radio station has removed Ed Sheeran’s music from its playlists “for the foreseeable future” as the fallout surrounding Macklemore’s departure from his Loop Tour continues to grow.
Classic Hits Radio confirmed on Thursday, September 17, that it had taken Sheeran’s music out of rotation following feedback from listeners and the subsequent withdrawal of Irish artists from his tour.
The station stressed that its decision was “not intended as a personal judgement on Ed Sheeran” and acknowledged Sheeran’s explanation that removing Macklemore from the tour was not his decision.
However, the station said it had listened to the strength of feeling among its audience and wanted to stand alongside Irish artists who had withdrawn from the tour.
The decision means songs from one of the world’s biggest recording artists will no longer be heard on Classic Hits Radio for the time being.
Classic Hits Radio Confirms The Decision
The station announced the move directly on its own website.
Classic Hits Radio confirmed that from Thursday, September 17, Ed Sheeran’s music would be removed from its playlist “for the foreseeable future.”
The station said the decision followed the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour and the subsequent withdrawal of several supporting artists.
Among those artists are Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga.
Classic Hits said it places considerable importance on its relationship with both its listeners and the Irish music community.
The station said it had received feedback from listeners expressing disappointment and concern over what had happened surrounding the tour.
After considering that response, it decided to remove Sheeran’s music.
‘Not Intended As A Personal Judgement’
Dave Kelly, Group Programme Director at Bay Broadcasting, which operates Classic Hits Radio, explained the decision.
He said:
“Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered.”
Kelly made clear that the station was not presenting the move as a personal attack on Sheeran.
He added:
“It is not intended as a personal judgement on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.”
The station nevertheless believes the decisions made by Irish musicians involved in Sheeran’s tour should be recognised.
Kelly said that as an independent Irish-owned station, Classic Hits believed it was important to listen to its audience and “stand alongside Irish artists” who had made significant professional decisions based on their convictions.
You can read the full statement directly from Classic Hits Radio here.
Aaron Rowe And Beoga Walked Away From The Tour
The Irish connection is an important part of the station’s decision.
Aaron Rowe and Beoga both withdrew from Sheeran’s Loop Tour following Macklemore’s removal.
Rowe had been due to appear on the remaining US dates and has previously spoken warmly about Sheeran and the impact he has had on his career.
Despite that relationship, Rowe decided he could no longer continue with the tour.
Beoga’s connection with Sheeran runs even deeper.
The Northern Irish group have collaborated with Sheeran for years and contributed to his 2017 hit “Galway Girl.”
They were also performing as part of sections of Sheeran’s main Loop Tour show.
Their withdrawal therefore affected Sheeran’s performance itself rather than simply removing another opening artist.
RTÉ reported that Classic Hits specifically referred to the decisions taken by Rowe and Beoga when explaining why it had removed Sheeran from its playlist.
The Decision Only Applies To Classic Hits
There is an important distinction to make.
This is not a nationwide ban on Ed Sheeran across Irish radio.
Classic Hits Radio is part of Bay Broadcasting Limited, which also operates Radio Nova, Sunshine 106.8 and Galway Bay FM.
According to TheJournal.ie, the decision to remove Sheeran’s music applies only to Classic Hits Radio.
That means it would be misleading to say that “Ireland has banned Ed Sheeran” or that “Irish radio has banned Ed Sheeran.”
One Irish radio station has removed his music from its playlist.
However, given Sheeran’s enormous catalogue of radio hits, the decision is still a notable development in a controversy that has continued to escalate.
Why Was Macklemore Removed From The Tour?
The dispute began after Macklemore used his appearances supporting Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to speak publicly in support of Palestinians.
During his performance, Macklemore introduced his protest song “Hind’s Hall” and spoke about Gaza and the West Bank.
He also told the crowd:
“Free Palestine.”
The rapper was subsequently removed from the remaining US dates of the Loop Tour.
Venue owners had reportedly told tour promoter Messina Touring Group that they would not host upcoming concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
One of the most prominent figures involved was Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium.
Kraft defended preventing Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, citing what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Macklemore rejects the suggestion that his support for Palestinians is antisemitic and has repeatedly distinguished between criticism of the Israeli government and criticism of Jewish people.
WATCH: Macklemore’s “Hind’s Hall”
“Hind’s Hall” has become closely connected with the controversy after Macklemore performed the protest song during his appearances on Sheeran’s tour.
The song was released in 2024 and named after Hind Rajab, the Palestinian child killed in Gaza that year.
Watch Macklemore’s official video below:
Ed Sheeran Says Removing Macklemore Was Not His Decision
Sheeran has publicly rejected suggestions that he personally removed Macklemore.
He said the decision had been made by the promoter after venues indicated they would not proceed with concerts if Macklemore remained on the tour.
Sheeran said he had spent days attempting to find a resolution.
He also explained that Macklemore’s touring agreement was with the promoter rather than with him personally.
Sheeran has defended his decision to continue with the concerts, pointing towards fans who have already made travel arrangements and the large number of musicians, crew members and other workers whose livelihoods depend on the tour.
Classic Hits specifically acknowledged Sheeran’s explanation when announcing its own decision.
Nevertheless, the station concluded that the response from its listeners and the actions of Irish artists justified removing his music from rotation.
Four Acts Have Now Withdrawn
The reaction has extended far beyond Ireland.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas have all withdrawn from scheduled appearances on Sheeran’s tour.
Several have explicitly linked their decisions to Macklemore’s removal and their support for Palestinians.
The departures have left Sheeran facing significant disruption to the remaining Loop Tour dates.
The controversy has also raised a wider debate about who ultimately controls a major stadium tour.
The Associated Press has examined the different levels of power held by headline artists, promoters and venue owners, noting that major artists typically have significant influence while venues ultimately retain the ability to refuse to host a concert.
Macklemore Donates His $1 Million Tour Earnings
The radio decision comes as Macklemore has made another significant announcement.
The rapper has pledged his entire $1 million in net earnings from Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians.
He also challenged Robert Kraft to match his contribution.
The story then took another turn.
Kraft said Sheeran had already contacted him before Macklemore issued the public challenge and asked him to commit $2 million in humanitarian aid.
Kraft agreed.
Sheeran was also said to be planning to approach other venue owners in an effort to generate further humanitarian support.
Classic Hits Says The Decision Is Under Review
Classic Hits has not said that Sheeran’s music has been removed permanently.
The station has specifically used the words:
“For the foreseeable future.”
It also confirmed that the decision will remain under review.
That means Sheeran could eventually return to the station’s playlists depending on future developments and listener feedback.
For now, however, some of Sheeran’s biggest songs have disappeared from Classic Hits Radio.
The station says the decision reflects both the reaction from its listeners and its desire to recognise the stance taken by Irish musicians Aaron Rowe and Beoga.
What began with comments made by Macklemore during a stadium support slot has now resulted in Macklemore being removed, four artists withdrawing from the tour, millions of dollars being pledged towards humanitarian aid and one Irish radio station removing Ed Sheeran from its playlists.
And the fallout shows little sign of ending yet.
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