Ken Casey, the frontman of Dropkick Murphys, has weighed in on Ed Sheeran’s decision to drop Macklemore from the Loop Tour. Speaking to Boston Public Radio on Wednesday (Sept. 16), Casey criticized Sheeran for taking a knee on behalf of Palestinian protesters instead of standing with his fellow performer.
“I know that, as a musician for 30 years, anytime we’ve gone on tour we’ve selected the bands that have opened for us — that’s brotherhood, sisterhood, that’s family,” Casey said. “You live or die with the people you bring on the road. They’re your people.”
What Happened on the Loop Tour
Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour after just two shows. The U.S. promoter, Messina Touring Group, announced his removal on Sept. 14 amid growing calls for his departure. Sheeran and his team were also allegedly pressured by some stadium owners on the tour, including Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft.
Casey argued that promoters should not have a say in what artists say onstage. He cited Dropkick Murphys’ experience at the 2025 Rocklahoma Festival in Oklahoma, where the band made statements against the Trump administration.
“We said what we have to say onstage every night, and probably about 50 percent of the audience walked away,” Casey said. “And I was told immediately afterwards that angered the owner of the site, and I’m sure we won’t get invited back.”
Casey’s Criticism of Sheeran
The punk veteran made his position clear. “And the fact that Ed Sheeran took the knee, no matter what the cause is, and not stood with his fellow tour partner, just doesn’t, you know, sit right with me. And that’s not how Dropkick Murphys would operate.”
Casey also reflected on the artists he admired as a kid. “All the artists I loved as a kid, no matter what, it was that they stand by what they sing about,” he said. “Once you let that go, then you don’t have any worth in your music if you ask me.”
The Domino Effect
Following Macklemore’s removal, the remaining opening acts on Sheeran’s Loop Tour also dropped out of their scheduled performances. Aaron Rowe was the first to pull out. Finneas and Lukas Graham later announced that they would no longer appear on the trek.
The string of withdrawals shows how quickly a decision can cascade through a touring lineup.
Macklemore’s Donation
Macklemore subsequently announced that he would donate his entire $1 million earnings from the Loop Tour to humanitarian organizations providing aid to Palestinians. He also challenged Kraft to match the donation.
The New England Patriots owner later responded, saying Sheeran had previously asked him to “commit” $2 million to humanitarian efforts.
The Core Of Casey’s Argument
Casey’s complaint centers on the idea that an artist should stand with the people they bring on the road, regardless of the cause at stake. He framed it as a matter of principle, not politics.
His own experience at Rocklahoma supports the point. When Dropkick Murphys angered the festival owner with their onstage remarks, they faced the consequences — but they stuck to their beliefs anyway.
What This Means For Artists
Casey’s words carry weight because he has lived them. A 30-year career in punk gives him credibility on the subject of artistic integrity.
His argument applies beyond this one controversy. It suggests that artists should prioritize loyalty over pleasing sponsors, even when the cause is unpopular.
The Order Of Events
The situation unfolded in a clear sequence:
- Macklemore’s onstage comments supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel’s war in Gaza drew criticism.
- Pressure from stadium owners, including Kraft, reportedly came before Macklemore’s removal.
- Messina Touring Group announced his removal on Sept. 14.
- Sheeran and his team faced pressure from stadium owners, including Kraft.
- Aaron Rowe pulled out first, followed by Finneas and Lukas Graham.
- Macklemore donated his $1 million earnings to humanitarian groups.
- Kraft responded, saying Sheeran had previously asked him to commit $2 million.
Key Figures In The Story
- Ken Casey: Dropkick Murphys frontman, critic of Sheeran’s decision
- Ed Sheeran: British singer whose Loop Tour removed Macklemore
- Macklemore: Rapper dropped from the Loop Tour after two shows
- Robert Kraft: Gillette Stadium owner who reportedly pressured Sheeran
- Messina Touring Group: U.S. promoter that announced Macklemore’s removal
- Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham: Opening acts that dropped out after Macklemore’s exit
The Bottom Line
Casey’s point is a fair one. Artists should stand by their beliefs and their fellow performers, even when doing so costs them money or audiences.
The story will continue to unfold. For now, Casey has made his position clear: when it comes to loyalty on tour, the Dropkick Murphys way is not to take a knee.
Source material: “Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey Criticizes Ed Sheeran Over His Treatment of Macklemore: ‘Doesn’t Sit Right’,” Billboard.
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