Macklemore’s Tour Exit Sparks Music Industry Backlash

Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour has lost all of its remaining supporting acts after backlash over rapper Macklemore’s removal as an opening act. Macklemore was dropped after venues and promoters objected to pro-Palestinian remarks he made during performances, including repeated calls to “Free Palestine,” expressions of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and images depicting destruction in Gaza during his performance of “Hind’s Hall.” Sheeran said the decision was made by the promoter and venues, not by him, because Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter. He said he was “appalled” by the Israel-Palestine conflict and viewed the suffering on both sides as a human tragedy, but maintained that he did not want to take a public position. Sheeran also said his audience includes children and people from many backgrounds, and that remaining publicly silent does not mean he lacks personal views or concern. The other tour performers rejected that explanation. Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas announced they would withdraw from upcoming dates in solidarity with Palestinians. Rowe and Beoga cited Ireland’s history of colonization, occupation and famine, while Beoga said it could not perform at venues that silence advocacy for a free Palestine. Graham said artists should be able to discuss war and civilian deaths, and Finneas said artists must not be silenced when speaking for oppressed people. Macklemore said Sheeran’s friendship did not change his responsibility to describe what happened, arguing that concern over the words “Free Palestine” reflected a fundamental moral disconnect. Robert Kraft, a prominent Israel supporter involved in calls for Macklemore’s removal, said Gillette Stadium would not provide a platform for hate speech. The dispute has renewed scrutiny of artists’ responses to the war in Gaza and raised uncertainty over whether Sheeran’s remaining tour dates will continue without openers or with replacements.

American rapper Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s remaining US stadium-tour dates after making pro-Palestinian statements during a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Macklemore said he and Sheeran had held “difficult conversations” during the previous week. Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Sheeran’s US tour, confirmed that venue owners had told promoters they would not permit concerts featuring Macklemore. Sheeran had not publicly commented at the time of publication. Macklemore has consistently criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank. During the New Jersey concert, he said he wanted to use the tour to publicly declare “Free Palestine” and to signal solidarity with people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He released “Hind’s Hall” in 2024, a protest song supporting pro-Palestinian demonstrators and commemorating Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza. The article notes that Israel’s military said it had opened a criminal investigation into her death, while rights groups argue that such investigations rarely result in convictions. Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the ten remaining shows on Sheeran’s tour, which was due to resume in Philadelphia on September 19. The Israeli-American Council had launched a petition calling for his removal. Macklemore said Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, helped rally support among stadium owners and warned Sheeran that some venues would not host Macklemore if he remained on the lineup. Kraft said he believed Macklemore’s remarks had crossed a line in the context of his efforts to combat hate and antisemitism. Macklemore denied being antisemitic and argued that equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism can be used to avoid accountability for Israel’s actions. The dispute illustrates the continuing tension within the music industry and public life over statements about the Gaza war, Palestinian rights, antisemitism, and freedom of expression.

American rapper Macklemore said he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s US stadium tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks, including saying “Free Palestine” during a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Macklemore said he and Sheeran had held difficult discussions about the decision. Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the US leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, said venue owners had informed promoters that they would not permit concerts featuring Macklemore. Sheeran had not immediately commented. The decision followed pressure from several venue owners, reportedly coordinated in part by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The Israeli-American Council also launched a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour. Kraft said he believed Macklemore’s comments crossed a line in the context of his efforts to combat hate and anti-Semitism. Macklemore has consistently criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank. In 2024, he released “Hind’s Hall,” a protest song supporting pro-Palestinian demonstrators and commemorating five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli troops in Gaza. The article notes that Israel opened a criminal investigation into her death, while rights groups argue that such investigations rarely result in convictions. Macklemore said he had wanted to participate in the tour partly because it would give him the opportunity to publicly say “Free Palestine” in large stadiums and signal solidarity with people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He denied being anti-Semitic, arguing that equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism can shield Israel from accountability. He had been scheduled to perform at eight of the ten remaining US shows, beginning with the tour’s September 19 date in Philadelphia.

US rapper Macklemore has addressed his removal from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s US Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Macklemore performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall” and repeatedly said “Free Palestine,” while speaking about Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He also told Jewish audience members that criticism of Israel and opposition to alleged apartheid and genocide should not be equated with antisemitism. The performance drew criticism from StopAntisemitism and the Israeli-American Council, which launched a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour. Pink, who is Jewish, shared a post criticizing the performance and later issued a statement clarifying her position after facing backlash. Macklemore said he and Sheeran had held difficult conversations before Sheeran’s team decided to remove him from eight of the ten remaining US shows. According to Macklemore, Sheeran said Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, had contacted him and indicated that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform there. The tour’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that venues had objected to Macklemore’s continued participation and warned that shows might be cancelled, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. In an Instagram statement, Macklemore rejected the idea that he, Sheeran or Pink were victims, arguing that the Palestinian people were suffering the real consequences of the conflict. He challenged Sheeran’s stated position of not taking sides, saying there was no neutral position between an oppressor and the oppressed. Despite their disagreement, Macklemore said he hoped to preserve their 13-year friendship. Sheeran had not publicly responded at the time of publication. The article also places Macklemore’s comments within his broader record of advocacy for Palestinians. In 2024, he released “Hind’s Hall,” named after Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl killed in Gaza and the building renamed by pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University.