Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran US tour after pro‑Palestine remarks
The rapper was removed from the remaining shows on Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following his pro‑Palestinian outburst in New Jersey.
Macklemore said on Monday he had been removed from Ed Sheeran's US leg of the Loop Tour after he shouted "Free Palestine" during a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The artist posted on Instagram that he and the singer had "some difficult conversations this past week".
Promoter and venue reaction
The tour’s US promoter, Messina Touring Group, told media that venue owners for the upcoming dates informed them they would not allow a show to go ahead with Macklemore on the bill. "After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates," the promoter said. Sheeran has not commented publicly.
Political pressure and industry fallout
The decision follows a petition from the Israeli‑American Council urging Sheeran to drop the rapper, and a reported intervention by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Kraft allegedly rallied stadium owners, telling Sheeran they would block the shows if Macklemore remained on the roster. In a statement, Kraft said he spends much of his time fighting hate and antisemitism and felt a responsibility to act when he believed a line had been crossed.
"A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: 'Free Palestine'," Macklemore said during the concert.
Macklemore, a Grammy‑winning artist, was slated to appear at eight of the ten remaining stadium shows, which resume on September 19 in Philadelphia. With his removal, the tour will continue without a supporting act for those dates. Industry observers expect promoters to tighten contracts to include clauses on political statements, while artists may face tougher choices about using their platforms for activism.
The incident could also fuel broader debates about free speech in entertainment, as fans and advocacy groups weigh the balance between artistic expression and perceived endorsement of contentious causes.
