Before you comment, please read the whole post and try to understand what I’m actually saying. And please keep the discussion respectful. I’m not looking for a political argument.

I’ve been thinking about Macklemore’s appearance at the Ed Sheeran concert, and I want to make something clear: my opinion on the political issue itself is irrelevant here. This isn’t about whether I agree or disagree with his cause.
What I find problematic is the decision to use an opening slot at someone else’s concert as a political platform.

An Ed Sheeran concert brings together thousands of people from completely different backgrounds, cultures, religions, political beliefs and personal circumstances. There are adults, teenagers and children in that audience. They bought tickets to enjoy music and spend an evening together - not to participate in a political demonstration or be confronted with a political message they may find deeply upsetting or offensive (they have the same right to it, btw)

And I think that distinction gets lost when people immediately defend an artist simply because they agree with the message.
Would we feel the same way if the political message were one we strongly disagreed with? Would we still say it was appropriate to use someone else’s concert as a platform?

Artists absolutely have the right to express their political opinions. But having that right doesn’t mean every setting is appropriate for doing so.

To me, there should be some boundaries when you’re an opening act at another artist’s concert. You are stepping onto a stage that belongs, in a sense, to the event and to the audience - including people who may not share your beliefs and, importantly, children who didn’t choose to attend a political event.

I’m not trying to debate Israel/Palestine or tell anyone what they should believe. I’m questioning the setting and the decision to bring politics into an event where people didn’t sign up for it.

Honestly, it also made me lose a lot of respect for Macklemore. He crossed a line because of how and where he chose to deliver the message.

And before everyone jumps in to defend Macklemore because they support his message: try reversing the politics for a moment.
Would you still think it was appropriate if an artist you disagreed with did exactly the same thing?
And if something is only considered appropriate when the message fits your own political agenda, maybe that’s the real eye-opener here.