Hayley Williams Uses Pre-Show Playlist to Honor Artists Who Left Ed Sheeran Tour
Hayley Williams kicked off her two-night stand at Queens' Forest Hills Stadium on September 16 with a pre-show playlist that doubled as a political statement. The playlist featured all the acts who recently exited Ed Sheeran's stadium tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed as an opener after making anti-genocide remarks on stage. According to Stereogum, the playlist included Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga—the Irish folk group serving as Sheeran's backing band. Williams also wore Palestinian flag colors and repeated her call for a "free Palestine" during the performance, as she has at multiple stops on her current solo tour.
The gesture came just days after a wave of defections from Sheeran's tour. Macklemore was dropped last week after NFL stadium owners, notably Robert Kraft, objected to his pro-Palestine statements. In response, all other opening acts—Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham—quit, along with Beoga, who refused to continue as Sheeran's backing band. Macklemore pledged to donate his $1 million tour earnings to organizations aiding Palestinian people and challenged Kraft to match it; Kraft and Sheeran then announced joint donations of $2 million. Williams had previously liked Macklemore's Instagram post about his removal, signaling her support before the Forest Hills show.
A Pattern of Activism on Tour
The playlist stunt is the latest in a series of political statements Williams has made on her "Hayley Williams Show" tour. According to Yahoo Entertainment, she recently shouted "F–ICE" and "Free Palestine" at a New Hampshire concert, drawing praise from fans on social media. Williams has a long history of pro-Palestine advocacy: she and Paramore joined the "No Music for Genocide" campaign, which urges artists to boycott performances in Israel, and she geo-blocked part of Paramore's catalogue from Israel. Her solo tour has become a platform for these views, with Williams consistently addressing the crowd about Gaza and related issues. The Rolling Stone review of the Forest Hills show noted that while her set is deeply personal—drawing from solo albums Petals for Armor and Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party—she also uses the space to connect with audiences on political matters.
Context: Ed Sheeran Tour Exodus and Music Industry Solidarity
The controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's tour has become the biggest music industry story of the past week, highlighting growing tensions over artists' freedom to speak on political issues. Macklemore's removal set off a chain reaction: within days, every opening act and the backing band had left in solidarity. The episode raises questions about corporate influence—specifically, the role of stadium owners like Robert Kraft—in shaping what artists can say on stage. Sheeran, who insisted he is "not complicit," accepted the terms without public protest, drawing criticism from those who saw his response as capitulation. Williams' playlist, by contrast, was a subtle but pointed rebuke: by playing those artists' music before her own set, she elevated their decisions and aligned herself with their stance.
Williams' Broader Solo Career and Upcoming Tour
Williams' solo career has been on an upward trajectory since the release of Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party in 2025. She recently completed a smaller-venue tour and is now playing larger spaces like Forest Hills Stadium. Blunt Magazine reports that teasers from the Enmore Theatre in Sydney and the Forum in Melbourne suggest an Australian solo tour is in the works, likely for early 2027—her first as a solo artist. She has also collaborated with David Byrne and Moses Sumney, formed a new band called Power Snatch, and made a cameo on Netflix's Dang! as herself. This activity cements her status as both a legacy artist (as Paramore's frontwoman) and a vital solo act willing to use her platform for activism.
Perspective: A New Era of Artist Activism?
Williams' actions reflect a broader trend of musicians integrating political advocacy into their live performances. In an era when fan expectations increasingly include social awareness, artists like Williams are leveraging their tours to amplify causes. The Sheeran tour exodus and Williams' response suggest that solidarity among artists can have tangible consequences—whether through lost revenue, public pressure, or shifting industry norms. It remains to be seen whether this moment will lead to lasting changes in how tours are booked or how artists navigate corporate partnerships. For now, Williams has made clear that her stage is not just for music, but for message—and her fans appear to be listening. As she continues her tour and eyes international dates, her willingness to take such stands may further define her solo legacy, proving that sometimes the most powerful statement is simply hitting play.
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