Katseye's members have unfollowed Ed Sheeran on Instagram, following rapper Macklemore's removal from the remaining US dates of Sheeran's "Loop" tour after he voiced support for Palestinians during his opening performance.
Fans noticed Tuesday that Katesye's Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan and Yoonchae no longer followed Sheeran on Instagram. Fans also noted that Lara and Megan liked a post Macklemore shared after he was removed from the "Loop" tour, while Lara added Macklemore to her following list.
Sheeran co-wrote Katseye's third EP "Animal," released in July. He previously said he became a fan of the group after listening to "Gnarly," the group's 2025 single, and reached out to collaborate.
The bandmates' decision to unfollow Sheeran has drawn mixed reactions among fans. Some have expressed support, while others said the move was insufficient, claiming that the track "Animal" must be removed from Katseye's future setlists.
Macklemore was removed from the remaining US tour dates of Sheeran's "Loop" tour after voicing support for Palestinians during his opening performance in New Jersey on Sept. 5. The tour's promoter, Messina Touring Group, announced that Macklemore would no longer appear on the remaining dates.
Though Macklemore said that neither he nor Sheeran is a victim of the situation and described Sheeran as his friend, he said that Sheeran's "typical apolitical stance" was challenged in a way it never had been.
Environmental activists Greta Thunberg and several celebrities, including Kehlani, Zara Larsson, Florence Pugh and Nicola Coughlan, either liked or left comments on Macklemore's posts.
Amid the controversy, the tour's other opening performers — Finneas O'Connell, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham — said on Wednesday that they would not perform on the tour.
The "Loop" tour is due to resume Saturday in Philadelphia.
mjcha@heraldcorp.com
