Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Tour After Palestine Remarks
Macklemore has been removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after the rapper’s public support for Palestinians triggered backlash and multiple venues objected to his participation.
The development was confirmed Monday, September 14, with Macklemore saying he and Sheeran had several difficult conversations about the controversy. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said venues on upcoming dates had indicated they would not allow Macklemore to perform, creating a risk that concerts could be canceled.
The rapper was scheduled to appear at eight of Sheeran’s remaining 10 U.S. shows.
Why Macklemore Was Removed From the Tour
The controversy began during Macklemore’s performances at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 4 and 5.
During the September 4 performance, Macklemore spoke directly about Gaza and the occupied West Bank and called for a “Free Palestine.” He also performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” which has become closely associated with his support for Palestinians.
The remarks quickly generated criticism from some Jewish advocacy organizations and other opponents of Macklemore’s political messaging at the concerts.
An Israeli American Council petition called for his removal from the tour, while StopAntisemitism also criticized his appearance. The controversy subsequently spread across social media and into the wider entertainment news cycle.
Macklemore later said his message was intended to support Palestinians and that criticism of Israel should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people.
Tour Promoter Says Venues Objected
Messina Touring Group said it was informed by venues scheduled to host Sheeran’s U.S. concerts that they would not allow Macklemore to perform.
The promoter said keeping him on the lineup could have resulted in cancellations and affected hundreds of thousands of concertgoers. After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore was removed from the remaining support dates.
Ed Sheeran has not publicly commented on the decision, according to reports.
Sheeran’s U.S. tour is scheduled to resume September 19 in Philadelphia. Macklemore will no longer be part of the remaining support lineup.
Macklemore Says He Had Difficult Conversations With Sheeran
Macklemore addressed the situation in a lengthy social media statement after learning that he would not continue on the tour.
He said he and Sheeran had difficult conversations and maintained that he did not regret speaking about Palestine from the stage.
Macklemore has been outspoken about the Israel-Gaza conflict for years. His 2024 song “Hind’s Hall” was released as a protest track expressing solidarity with Palestinians and criticizing U.S. policy toward Israel.
In his latest statement, Macklemore also alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft played a role in pressure against his continued participation on the tour. That allegation has not been independently established as the reason for his removal.
Kraft has rejected the characterization that his position was about silencing criticism and has said his concern was related to antisemitism and the way Macklemore’s comments were delivered.
Why the Macklemore Story Is Trending Now
The story is trending because the controversy has moved beyond a disputed concert speech and resulted in a concrete professional consequence.
Macklemore performed only two shows as part of Sheeran’s U.S. tour before his removal was announced. The decision has also brought renewed attention to the debate over political expression at major concerts and whether performers should be able to use large entertainment platforms to address international conflicts.
The situation has drawn reactions from other musicians as well. Pink previously addressed backlash surrounding Macklemore’s comments after sharing a post criticizing aspects of his concert messaging. She later clarified her own position, saying she supported the humane treatment and future of Palestinians while also discussing concerns within the Jewish community.
For Macklemore, however, the immediate result is clear: he will not perform at the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates with Sheeran.
The controversy is now centered not only on what Macklemore said about Palestine, but also on the broader question of political speech, artistic freedom and the business pressures surrounding major stadium tours.
FAQ
Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour?
His removal followed backlash over pro-Palestinian remarks he made during a September 4 concert.
Was Macklemore scheduled to perform with Ed Sheeran?
Yes. He had been scheduled for eight remaining U.S. dates.
Has Ed Sheeran commented?
Reuters reported that Sheeran had not publicly commented on the decision.
