Irish Radio Station Drops Ed Sheeran’s Songs After Macklemore ‘Free Palestine’ Fallout

Classic Hits Radio, owned by Bay Broadcasting, announced on Thursday that it will not play Ed Sheeran’s music for the foreseeable future. Dave Kelly, the group program director, told The Independent the move “has been carefully considered” and is not a personal judgment on the singer.

Kelly said the station wants to listen to its audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made “a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.” The decision follows strong listener feedback about the controversy.

The controversy began when Macklemore, who had performed a “Free Palestine” song at Sheeran’s New Jersey shows, was removed from the singer’s U.S. Loop Tour. Reports say venue owners, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, pressured Sheeran to drop the rapper.

After Macklemore’s removal, four other supporting acts also left the tour: Irish musicians Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and American artist Finneas.

Pro‑Palestine groups, including the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z, have announced a protest outside Sheeran’s upcoming concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The episode shows how public sentiment and artist activism can directly influence media programming. A radio station’s playlist can change when listeners and fellow performers voice strong opinions about political statements linked to a tour.

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