Boy George weighs in as Ed Sheeran row divides musicians
Boy George has spoken out in support of Ed Sheeran. Photos: Getty
Boy George and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters have become the latest musicians to weigh in on the controversy that has left pop star Ed Sheeran’s US tour in chaos.
Sheeran has faced a brutal backlash since Macklemore was dropped from his tour over pro-Palestine comments made during a concert, with all his other support acts since quitting in solidarity with the rapper.
However, Boy George – who was recently forced to pull out of a West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar after an uproar erupted over his release of a pro-Israel song – posted a fiery message on X in support of the Sheeran.
“Well done to @edsheeran for going on stage with his guitar and proving that he can perform solo,” the Culture Club singer wrote, after apparently being tricked into thinking an old clip of the singer was a new video.
“I thought he was wrong not to speak out against the rapper hijacking his shows but he got rid of him and a bunch of spineless rats followed.
“All the usual subjects have popped up on TV to have their say. Each one more dumb than the last. Faithless Paloma telling us she whispers ‘free Palestine’ into her kids ears before they sleep. Now that’s radical!”
Well done to @edsheeran for going on stage with his guitar and proving that he can perform solo. I thought he was wrong not to speak out against the rapper hijacking his shows but he got rid of him and a bunch of spineless rats followed. All the usual subjects have popped up on…
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) September 17, 2026
Pro-Palestinian singer Paloma Faith, who served alongside Boy George as a judge on The Voice UK in 2016, gave a television interview this week in which she urged Sheeran to end his tour, saying “being apolitical is a political act in itself”.
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, meanwhile, shared a message to Sheeran on Instagram titled “Ed Who?” in which he said there were two types of people in the world – those like Macklemore, who he argued had “done the right thing”, and “p—ks like you who do the wrong thing”.
Sheeran released his own statement this week in which he insisted he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” but stressed it was ultimately “the promoter’s decision” to axe Macklemore from the bill.
The singer explained he doesn’t “use my professional platform for politics” because he wants to offer “safety and sanctuary” to fans of all backgrounds and beliefs.
After Macklemore was dropped from the tour, other support acts including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, as well as Sheeran’s touring band Beoga, announced they were also stepping away and would no longer perform at any of the concerts.
Other musicians who have spoken out during the controversy include Massive Attack, which recently toured Australia and has shared messages in support of Palestine, and pop star Pink, who has been critical of Macklemore.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, the man who convinced promoters to ditch Macklemore as the opening act at his stadium near Boston, on Thursday promised to donate $US2 million ($2.8 million) towards the “humanitarian crisis”.
The announcement came after Macklemore said he would donate his $US1million ($1.4 million) tour salary to Palestinian organisations and challenged Kraft to match it.
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