Ken Casey says Ed Sheeran 'took the knee' over Macklemore tour exit

Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey says Ed Sheeran "took the knee" by not standing by Macklemore after Macklemore was cut from Sheeran's touring bill. It "doesn't sit right" with him, he said.

Casey made the remarks in an interview with Boston Public Radio, as reported by Rolling Stone on 18 September 2026. The interview focused on Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's Loop Tour.

Macklemore was removed from the tour after making onstage comments in support of Palestinians and criticising Israel's war in Gaza. The comments led to his dates on the Sheeran bill being cancelled.

Sheeran has said the decision was not his. He said it was made by promoter Messina Touring Group, the company that organises venues and logistics for the run, combined with pressure from venues.

Casey rejected that explanation. "The promoter is not what the people come to see," he said. In his view, a promoter should not dictate what happens once an artist is on stage.

After his removal, Macklemore pledged to donate $1 million to Palestinian support groups. He also publicly challenged Robert Kraft to match the donation.

Casey is the bassist and founding member of Boston band Dropkick Murphys, as documented by Billboard. Videos of him confronting right-wing provocateurs at the band's gigs have gone viral, according to The Guardian.

For fans following the tour story, this means the dispute is now about more than one exit. It is about who speaks for a live show, and who answers when an appearance is pulled.