Charlotte Church accused Ed Sheeran of choosing 'consumerism and capitalism over doing the right thing' during her End Times Pop Dungeon show at Depot in Cardiff on Sunday, 20 September.
Her criticism followed Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's Loop Tour after his pro-Palestinian remarks on stage.
The dispute began at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 4 and 5 September. Macklemore told the crowd 'Free Palestine' and said joining the tour gave him a platform to repeat that message in stadiums.
At the second show, he used the terms 'apartheid' and 'genocide' while criticising Israel's conduct in Gaza. Israel rejects allegations of genocide.
The Israeli-American Council then launched a petition calling for Macklemore's removal. Messina Touring Group later said venues on upcoming US dates had notified the promoter they would not allow concerts with Macklemore on the line-up. Macklemore was removed from the remaining support dates on 14 September.
Ed Sheeran Faces Pressure in the Macklemore Tour Row
Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, also became part of the dispute. Kraft said Macklemore would not perform at the venue and argued that he had crossed a line with remarks he regarded as antisemitic.
Macklemore rejects allegations of antisemitism and says criticism of Israel should not be equated with hostility towards Jewish people.
'I agree with Macklemore, too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering,' Kraft said. He also argued that ignoring Hamas's actions while presenting selective information could deepen division and hate.
The fallout spread beyond Macklemore. Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham withdrew from planned appearances, while Beoga also left the tour. Finneas said artists should 'not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.'
Sheeran said Macklemore's removal was 'the promoter's decision' rather than his own. He added that he had tried to find a solution after venues objected, but said the venues' and promoter's decisions were final.
Church challenged that distinction in Cardiff. She said Sheeran's wealth and following gave him 'an enormous platform to do real good in the world,' then accused him of choosing consumerism and capitalism instead.
She also rejected the idea that musicians should avoid politics. 'Ed Sheeran, we're watching you,' she told the audience.
Official Charts credits Sheeran with nine UK No. 1 albums and 14 UK No. 1 singles, underlining the scale of the audience behind his public statements.
Ed Sheeran Addresses Gaza as the Macklemore Tour Row Deepens
Sheeran had already addressed the controversy when the Loop Tour resumed at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, 19 September. It was his first concert since Macklemore's removal and the departures of other support acts.
At the start of the show, Sheeran apologised for mistakes in how he handled the dispute. 'I've had to take and make difficult decisions and I am making mistakes and I'm so, so sorry,' he told the crowd.
'I never wanted to be an activist musician,' Sheeran said. He described the controversy as putting him in the middle of an argument about free speech and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
He called the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 'horrific.' He also described the situation in Gaza as 'catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate,' and said the loss of civilian and children's lives had broken his heart.
Sheeran said he had previously tried to keep his concerts focused on unity rather than politics. He added that he could no longer hide how he felt because he regarded the crisis as a humanitarian issue.
He also criticised what he described as 'systemic injustice' in the West Bank and said it could not be overlooked. Sheeran said he was 'listening and learning' as he considered how he could help victims.
The singer acknowledged that the fallout had left him questioning whether the tour would continue and 'whether I even wanted to be an artist at all.'
He returned to the stage, telling the Philadelphia crowd that his concerts remained 'a place where everyone is welcome' and where people with opposing views could stand beside one another.
