Ed Sheeran concertgoers warn artists about sharing political views: 'You're going to alienate' fans
Several fans who attended Ed Sheeran’s concert in Philadelphia last weekend after Macklemore was dropped for making "Free Palestine" comments, warned other artists that if they make political statements, they will alienate half of their audience.The "Bad Habits" singer is expected to play his second and third concerts since the controversy this Friday and Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is owned by Robert Kraft.The New England Patriots owner allegedly threatened to cancel the concerts at his venue if Macklemore wasn’t taken off the tour, according to the "Thrift Shop" rapper.ROBERT KRAFT, GILLETTE STADIUM BOOT MACKLEMORE FROM ED SHEERAN TOUR OVER ‘FREE PALESTINE’ RANTEd Sheeran is seen performing at a concert in December.(Kevin MazurGetty Images for iHeartRadio)Macklemore also claimed Kraft got other stadium owners to agree to not allow Sheeran to play at their venues if the rapper was still with his tour."The fact that they’re forcing Ed Sheeran to have an opinion is not right," one woman told Fox News Digital outside last Saturday’s concert.
"He wants to stay in the middle – if you have an opinion, that’s fine, but you’re going to alienate at least 50% of your population, and it causes unrest."GOO GOO DOLLS' JOHN RZEZNIK DRAWS LINE ON POLITICS AT CONCERTS: 'I'M NOT GOING TO LECTURE YOU'She said the "Shape of You" singer "just wants to do his music and play his music, and people want to enjoy it.They want to get away from it, and I don’t feel as though they should have to worry about this stuff when they come to a concert."Macklemore was dropped as the opening act for Sheeran’s tour earlier this month after he made pro-Palestinian comments at two concerts.
The other supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour quit in solidarity with Macklemore.LIBERAL LAWMAKERS, ACTIVISTS RALLY BEHIND MACKLEMORE AFTER SHEERAN TOUR REMOVAL OVER 'FREE PALESTINE' STANCEIn Philadelphia Saturday night, Sheeran made a nearly four-minute-lo...