Damon Albarn warns fans ‘don’t ever be neutral’ amid Ed Sheeran tour row
The Blur and Gorillaz frontman held a Palestinian flag aloft during an Orlando concert as controversy continued around Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s US dates.
Damon Albarn has urged fans to “never be neutral” as he held a Palestinian flag aloft during a Gorillaz concert, amid the growing row surrounding Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour and the removal of Macklemore from its line-up.
The Blur frontman, 58, made the declaration as Gorillaz opened the North American leg of their The Mountain tour at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, with his intervention coming days after Macklemore, 43, said he had been removed from Ed’s US tour following his pro-Palestinian remarks during an earlier support slot, prompting several other musicians to withdraw from forthcoming shows.
Taking a Palestinian flag from a member of the audience, Damon told the crowd: “Don’t forget this. Ever. Stand your position. Don’t ever be neutral.”
The Daily Mail reported a source close to Damon confirmed the pro-Palestine message, delivered at the sell-out show at the Kia Centre in Orlando, was related to the outrage over Ed’s move.
They told the publication: “Damon has made no secrets of his support for the Palestinian cause over many years. He just doesn't believe it's possible to stay neutral over the issue, and is surprised by the way Ed Sheeran has explained himself over the Macklemore stance. He thinks it's only made things worse.”
Damon performed at the Together for Palestine benefit concert in London in 2025, organised by Brian Eno.
He played Palestinian traditional music with the London Arab Orchestra and Juzour Dance Collective before Gorillaz played Damascus, which subsequently appeared on their album The Mountain.
The Orlando concert marked the opening date of Gorillaz’s latest North American tour and featured a 24-song set drawing on albums including Demon Days, Plastic Beach, Humanz and The Mountain.
Damon first rose to prominence with Blur, whose defining songs include Parklife, Girls and Boys, Song 2 and The Universal.
He later formed Gorillaz with artist Jamie Hewlett, with the virtual band producing hits including Clint Eastwood, Feel Good Inc. and DARE.
His comments came during a turbulent week for Ed Sheeran, 35, whose Loop tour has faced withdrawals following Macklemore’s removal.
Macklemore said he was dropped after using his appearance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to voice support for Palestinians.
The rapper told the audience “Free Palestine” and spoke about Gaza and the West Bank.
Ed subsequently said venue operators had threatened to pull shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
In a statement, Ed said: “Upcoming tour dates had communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting.”
The singer added: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
The dispute subsequently widened when Finneas O’Connell, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Irish group Beoga withdrew from scheduled Loop tour appearances.
Beoga, who have previously worked extensively with Ed, also withdrew as his backing band.
Macklemore has since said he will donate $1 million of his net earnings from his appearances on the tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians.
Ed was due to return to the stage at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday (19.09.26), with the scheduled start moved from 5.30pm to 8pm after the support acts withdrew.
Pro-Palestinian groups were also planning demonstrations outside the stadium.
The controversy comes during Ed’s worldwide Loop tour, named after his 2025 album Play.
The Suffolk-raised singer remains one of Britain’s most commercially successful musicians, with a catalogue including Shape of You, Perfect, Thinking Out Loud and The A Team.
Gorillaz, meanwhile, are continuing their North American dates behind The Mountain and have announced their first concerts in India for January 2027.
