U2’s world-famous drummer Larry Mullen Jr has said that ‘no promoter and no owner’ should ever try to ‘censor’ artists – as the band weigh in on the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy.
In September, Macklemore was dropped on Ed Sheeran’s US ‘Loop Tour’ over his ‘Free Palestine’ comments – with the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, Robert Kraft, also making a statement in response at the time.
Promoters subsequently removed the rapper from the tour, prompting Ed’s backing band and remaining support acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Beoga, to withdraw in solidarity.
Bono and Larry Mullen Jr. of U2 with (front) Jim Corr, Andrea Corr, Caroline Corr and Sharon Corr of The Corrs (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
Ed later denied being complicit in the decision, explaining that he wanted his concerts to remain places of safety and sanctuary rather than political forums.
Now U2 has given their thoughts on the row, saying Ed Sheeran shouldn’t be ‘vilified.’
Speaking to BBC News, The Edge showered Macklemore with his support – but defended Ed against the criticism he has received in the aftermath.
He said: ‘We totally support Macklemore’s right as an artist to say what he wanted to say.
Ali Hewson, musicians Bono and The Edge of U2 and choreographer Morleigh Steinberg. Pic: David Livingston/Getty Images
‘I don’t think Ed should be vilified,’ he added, acknowledging the difficult position the singer had faced.
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr said that he believed artists ‘can choose whether they want to be politically active or not,’ before adding: ‘It’s a human right.’
‘But we as a band will fight for the right to speak your mind as long as it doesn’t incite violence. And even if we disagree with it or don’t like it, nobody has a right – no billionaire, no promoter, no owner has the right to censor anybody.
‘But they will definitely not be censoring us ever,’ he added.