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# Are Artists Obligated to Be Activists?
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/are-artists-obligated-to-be-activists/
- Published: 2026-10-02T15:32:48.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T15:33:44.000Z
- Description: The people who decide who gets a microphone are the real antagonists.
- Author: The Fanbase Builder
- Tags: Politics & Protests, DIY Advice & Tips, DIY, politics, Activism

I don’t think anyone missed the [Ed Sheeran Loop Tour controversy](https://www.hypebot.com/everything-we-know-about-the-ed-sheeran-macklemore-tour-fallout/). In short:

- Macklemore, known for his pro-Palestine remarks, opens for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, and says “Free Palestine” on stage.
- Several NFL stadium owners threaten to cancel shows at their venues if he stays on the tour.
- Macklemore is dropped from the tour. Ed Sheeran responds with a statement that lands badly.
- All remaining opening acts, and Ed Sheeran’s touring band, quit in solidarity.

First, to provide some context for how I see this, let me be clear about where I stand: Free Palestine. I was therefore pleasantly surprised by how Macklemore handled the situation, from his statement to donating his tour earnings. 

But that doesn’t mean I oppose Ed Sheeran’s choice to stay out of politics.

![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!n5I5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbc997dd1-27cc-4d49-a1b6-b01eb996713b_2048x2048.jpeg)

This is a good reminder of how short-sighted people on social media can be, and how easily public opinion is steered by people with power and knowledge.

The main antagonist in this story isn’t Ed Sheeran. It’s billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of the Gillette Stadium and a prominent supporter of Israel, who, together with three other NFL owners, threatened Ed Sheeran’s team not to host the tour as long as Macklemore was on it.

Instead of debating the value of freedom of speech, which, from my European perspective, feels obvious, we’re stuck in a debate that goes like this: Macklemore good, Ed Sheeran bad.

And all because people want Ed Sheeran to speak out. I don’t agree with that. We can’t force artists to speak out, form an opinion, or become activists just because they have a platform. They can, but they aren’t obliged to. We can’t “out” somebody’s opinion just to form our own. I think that’s poor human behaviour.

Instead of a Macklemore versus Ed Sheeran debate, this should be about people with power who successfully interfere with free speech. But that’s not the case, and those with power have played it well.

## Yes, but..

[Ed Sheeran’s statement](https://www.instagram.com/p/DdT-6KGAtuI/?ref=hypebot.com) that accelerated the debate was terrible. His team should have managed this much better.

Artists aren’t obliged to speak out. But staying neutral in the middle of a fight is a message too.

## Take action now

Artists can decide whether to:

- Speak out on a topic proactively.
- Speak out when asked for an opinion.
- Choose to keep their opinion to themselves.

***+Read more:*** [*"Everything We Know About the Ed Sheeran – Macklemore Tour Fallout"*](https://www.hypebot.com/everything-we-know-about-the-ed-sheeran-macklemore-tour-fallout/)

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