Ed Sheeran’s Tour Drops Macklemore After “Free Palestine”
Macklemore’s appearance at Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour took an unexpected turn after the rapper used his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to speak about Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He performed his protest song Hind’s Hall and called for a Free Palestine.
Macklemore has publicly supported Palestinian rights for several years. His 2024 song Hind’s Hall became one of his most prominent statements on the war, while he has also backed Artists4Ceasefire.
His MetLife remarks quickly drew criticism from pro Israel advocacy groups and some public figures.
Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the remaining 10 US shows on Sheeran’s tour. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said several venues had informed them that they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup, creating a risk that shows could be cancelled.
Macklemore later said Ed Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, had objected to his appearance at Gillette Stadium and had approached other stadium owners.
Kraft subsequently confirmed that he had barred Macklemore from performing at the Boston venue.
The controversy has also put Ed Sheeran in the middle of a debate over music, politics and the boundaries of public platforms.
Sheeran has since said that removing Macklemore was not his decision, explaining that he tried to persuade venues to allow him to remain on the tour but was unsuccessful.
Sheeran has maintained that he wants his concerts to remain a space that brings people together rather than a platform for political debate. Meanwhile, Macklemore has stood by his decision to speak about Palestine, saying that losing his place on the tour would not change his position.
Macklemore’s appearance at Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour took an unexpected turn after the rapper used his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to speak about Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Macklemore’s appearance at Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour took an unexpected turn after the rapper used his September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to speak about Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. He performed his protest song Hind’s Hall and called for a Free Palestine.
Macklemore has publicly supported Palestinian rights for several years. His 2024 song Hind’s Hall became one of his most prominent statements on the war, while he has also backed Artists4Ceasefire.
His MetLife remarks quickly drew criticism from pro Israel advocacy groups and some public figures.
Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the remaining 10 US shows on Sheeran’s tour. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said several venues had informed them that they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup, creating a risk that shows could be cancelled.
Macklemore later said Ed Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, had objected to his appearance at Gillette Stadium and had approached other stadium owners.
Kraft subsequently confirmed that he had barred Macklemore from performing at the Boston venue.
The controversy has also put Ed Sheeran in the middle of a debate over music, politics and the boundaries of public platforms.
Sheeran has since said that removing Macklemore was not his decision, explaining that he tried to persuade venues to allow him to remain on the tour but was unsuccessful.
Sheeran has maintained that he wants his concerts to remain a space that brings people together rather than a platform for political debate. Meanwhile, Macklemore has stood by his decision to speak about Palestine, saying that losing his place on the tour would not change his position.
