Ed Sheeran loses almost 500,000 Instagram followers amid Macklemore row

The rapper had used performances at New Jersey's Met. Life Stadium to speak about Gaza and the occupied West Bank and declare his support for Palestine. Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the final 10 US shows on Sheeran's Loop Tour.

However, promoter Messina Touring Group said venues had indicated they would not allow the rapper to perform, warning that keeping him on the line-up could result in the cancellation of concerts. Macklemore subsequently criticised the decision and said the focus should remain on Palestinians affected by the conflict.

The dispute also intensified after he alleged that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had pressured Sheeran and other stadium owners over his participation. Kraft defended the decision to prevent Macklemore from appearing at Gillette Stadium, saying the rapper's recent actions and material shared during Sheeran's shows had crossed a line.

Kraft also said the decision was not intended to diminish Palestinian suffering. The controversy widened when several other artists associated with Sheeran's US tour withdrew from upcoming performances. Pro-Palestinian protesters also gathered outside Sheeran's first concert without Macklemore in Philadelphia.

Sheeran addressed the situation during his September 19 concert, apologising for how he had handled the controversy and saying he had been forced to make difficult decisions. He also spoke directly about Gaza, describing the situation there as "catastrophic, unjustifiable and disproportionate" and referring to what he described as systemic injustice in the occupied West Bank.

Sheeran has maintained that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour's promoter rather than by him personally. The controversy has nevertheless continued to affect his US tour, with the dispute prompting wider debate around freedom of expression, artists' political statements and the role of venues in deciding who can perform.

The latest figures show that the fallout has also extended to Sheeran's social media following, with his Instagram audience declining by almost half a million within a week as the dispute continues to attract attention.