Molly Christianson, Staff Writer
A concert is supposed to be simple — people buy tickets, listen to music and spend a few hours enjoying themselves. Politics are not necessarily a part of the experience. However, for some of the biggest names in entertainment, separating a career from politics is becoming increasingly difficult.
Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour became an example of that. During a Sept. 4 performance at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore spoke on his views and told the audience “Free Palestine.” He also performed his song “Hind’s Hall,” which was written in support of Palestinians. Following the performance, some venue owners objected to Macklemore’s participation in the remaining shows and Sheeran’s promoter eventually announced that he would no longer be part of the U.S. leg of the tour.
Sheeran and Macklemore are part of a much larger conversation happening in the entertainment industry. Celebrities are constantly faced with the question of whether they should use their platforms to speak about political and social issues.
Taylor Swift has also used her platform in a political manner but in a much different way. During the 2024 presidential election, Swift publicly announced that she planned to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, while also encouraging her followers to research the candidates and make their own decisions. Her post demonstrated just how much influence a celebrity can have simply by telling millions of people their stance. She had no responsibility to share who she planned on voting for, but she did anyway in hopes of achieving a safer world.
Finneas is another example of an artist who has used his platform to speak about Palestine. His support did not begin with removing himself as an opener on Sheeran’s tour. He has previously spoken publicly in support of Palestinians and has been very vocal about his humanitarian stances. When he withdrew from Sheeran’s upcoming tour dates, he wrote, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” on his Instagram post.
What makes Finneas and the rest of Sheeran’s openers who pulled out of the tour’s responses especially significant is that by leaving the tour, they gave up an opportunity. Finneas was scheduled to open for Sheeran on six South American dates, meaning his decision was not simply about posting his opinion online. He was willing to give up professional opportunities to stand behind what he believed.
This is one of the biggest reasons why celebrities do not want to “be political.” By choosing to speak up for people who are being silenced, they run the risk of losing tour venues, fans, friends, opportunities and money.
This is why the argument is more complicated than just asking, “Why do they not just speak up?” While the aforementioned celebrities have monetary safety nets to fall back on, some celebrities do not. Celebrities should not be forced to speak about politics and being famous does not automatically make someone an expert on all topics.
However, there is a difference between expecting commentary on every single political issue and expecting people with enormous platforms to acknowledge a humanitarian crisis when they have the ability to reach millions.
Politics do not stop existing when someone walks into a concert or opens social media. When artists speak about issues involving human rights, war or humanitarian crises, they are not necessarily trying to turn entertainment into a political rally. Instead, they are using the platform they already have to talk about something that they believe is just as or more important than the entertainment itself.
When someone is removed from a platform because of a political statement, silence from the person in charge can have just as many consequences as speaking up.
This is especially important when the issue is something as serious and inhumane as genocide. Remaining completely separate from politics may make sense when the issue is an election, a tax policy or a political disagreement. When millions of people are experiencing violence, displacement and loss of life, the argument that celebrities should simply “stay out of politics” becomes much harder to defend.
If someone has the ability to use their platform to raise awareness about people who are suffering, it becomes their responsibility to do so.
That does not mean every celebrity needs to become a political activist. However, it does mean that celebrities have to decide what their platforms mean to them and what they are willing to risk.
Macklemore chose to speak. Finneas and the other supporting artists chose to leave. Sheeran chose to continue the tour while trying to navigate the situation between his friend, his promoter, the venues and his fans. Other celebrities have chosen to speak publicly, while others have remained silent. Each decision comes with a cost.
Saying nothing is a choice, speaking is a choice and staying neutral is a choice when millions or potentially billions of people are listening.
The question is, what happens when an artist decides that something is important enough to risk everything else for?