Dunedin’s landmark Ed Sheeran mural has been defaced by the words ‘Free Palestine’ after rapper Macklemore was removed from the British singer’s US tour for making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage.
Large black lettering has been painted across the bottom of the Bath St mural, while red paint splashed across the portrait dripped down the UK pop singer’s face and neck.
The graffiti comes as Sheeran faces growing online backlash over his response to Macklemore’s removal, with some fans demanding refunds and critics questioning his insistence that his concerts remain apolitical.
The words “FREE PALESTINE” were painted across the bottom of Dunedin’s Ed Sheeran mural in Bath St, while red paint was splashed across the portrait and left dripping down his face and neck. Photo / Ben Tomsett
The rapper shouted “Free Palestine” during an opening set at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month, while showing images of destruction in Gaza, before introducing Hind’s Hall, a song supporting Palestinians named after five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Macklemore was later removed from his remaining appearances after US venues told tour promoter Messina Touring Group they would not host shows with him on the bill.
Sheeran has distanced himself from the decision, saying it was made by promoters and venues rather than him.
He said he said e had tried to find a way for Macklemore to remain, while maintaining his concerts were intended to bring together people with differing beliefs rather than become political forums.
Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s US tour after shouting “Free Palestine” during his opening set at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium and introducing his pro-Palestinian protest song Hind’s Hall.
Sheeran has, however, publicly engaged with political causes before.
Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he performed at the Concert for Ukraine fundraiser and later brought Ukrainian band Antytila on stage during his own Warsaw concert, where they performed with a Ukrainian flag.
He has also described himself as a “big Corbyn fan” and indicated he opposed Brexit.
The Macklemore decision has continued to dog the tour.
Supporting artists Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Sheeran’s backing band Beoga withdrew from the tour in solidarity, with several saying artists should not be silenced for speaking about Palestinians.
Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, among those objecting to Macklemore’s inclusion, said the issue went beyond support for Palestinians and cited past rhetoric and imagery he regarded as antisemitic.
Macklemore has denied being antisemitic and previously apologised for a 2014 costume widely criticised as invoking antisemitic stereotypes.
The controversy has now reached a mural intended as a lasting reminder of Sheeran’s only Dunedin performances.
Dunedin artist Tyler Kennedy Stent was commissioned by Enterprise Dunedin to paint the portrait ahead of Sheeran’s three Easter 2018 concerts at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The $8350 ratepayer-funded work was promoted as a “lasting legacy” and formed part of about $170,000 in council spending on Sheeran-related events.
Before arriving, Sheeran had spoken about major acts routinely bypassing smaller cities such as Dunedin.
He has not performed in the city since.
When he returned to New Zealand with his Mathematics Tour in 2023, Dunedin missed out, with shows held in Wellington and Auckland.
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd told the ODT at the time his “in the round” production was better suited to an oval venue than Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Dunedin City Council acknowledged “strong public sentiment surrounding Ed Sheeran at present” but said it did not condone vandalism of public street art.
A council spokesperson said any decision to remove the graffiti was for the building owner, in discussion with the Street Art Trust.
It is not the mural’s first encounter with graffiti.
Within weeks of its completion in 2018, Stuff reported it was tagged with an obscenity referencing Dunedin punk band Coyote.
Ben Tomsett is a journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.