The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. defended the rapper's right to speak out, while the Edge said Sheeran "should not be vilified".

U2 Courtesy Michael Schwartz

U2 have weighed in on Macklemore ’s removal from Ed Sheeran ’s U.S. tour, backing the rapper’s right to speak out while cautioning against blaming Sheeran.

“We totally support Macklemore ’s right as an artist to say what he wanted to say,” the Edge said in an interview with BBC News. “I don’t think Ed should be vilified,” he added, acknowledging the difficult position Sheeran had been in. The guitarist also praised the artists who left Sheeran’s tour in solidarity, framing the dispute as a matter of free expression.

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Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. went further. “Artists can choose whether they want to be politically active or not. It’s a human right,” he said. “But we as a band will fight for the right to speak your mind as long as it doesn’t incite violence.…