Macklemore Dropped from Sheeran's US Tour Amid Venue Pushback

Rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after several venues threatened to cancel concerts if he remained on the lineup, the tour's promoter confirmed. The decision followed Macklemore's onstage calls for a "Free Palestine" and other pro-Palestinian statements during his opening performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.

Messina Touring Group, promoter of the US leg of the tour, said in a statement to Rolling Stone that it had been notified by venues that they "will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans." After "discussions with stakeholders," the promoter confirmed that "Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates."

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, was slated to appear at eight of the ten remaining US shows. The tour is set to resume September 19 in Philadelphia. Sheeran had no immediate comment.

The Onstage Remarks That Sparked the Dispute

During the first MetLife show, Macklemore told the audience, "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.'" He added, "I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them."

He also performed his protest song "Hind's Hall," which condemns Israel's military action in Gaza, while footage of devastation in Gaza was shown on the venue's screens. At the second show, Macklemore directly addressed Jewish members of the audience, saying, "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality."

His comments drew criticism from Jewish groups and prompted a petition by the Israeli-American Council urging Sheeran to remove him from the tour. The council said the concert was "not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event" and accused Macklemore of using "biased messaging and disputed claims."

Robert Kraft's Statement on Gillette Stadium

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, confirmed Monday that he had barred Macklemore from performing at the venue, where Sheeran is scheduled to play September 25 and 26. In a statement received by multiple outlets, Kraft said Gillette Stadium "has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech."

"Based on Macklemore's recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line," Kraft said.

Kraft, who is Jewish, said the decision "is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf." He continued: "But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike."

Kraft also said he agreed with Macklemore that "too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering," but argued that "only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate." He said he would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore, noting that "ultimately our goal is the same — peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate."

Macklemore's Allegations of Pressure Campaign

In a lengthy Instagram statement Monday, Macklemore said he had "some difficult conversations this past week" with Sheeran, whom he described as a friend of 13 years. He claimed that Sheeran told him Kraft had called ahead of the Gillette shows and said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at the stadium.

"Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues," Macklemore wrote. He suggested that Sheeran was caught in a difficult position, writing that his "typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before."

Kraft did not directly address the claim that he contacted other stadium owners. Several outlets reported that venues allegedly objecting to Macklemore's presence included Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, according to Rolling Stone.

Macklemore's Response and Wider Debate

Macklemore said he was not the victim in the controversy, writing, "I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim." He said the victims are "the Palestinian people, the men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence." He added, "More than 20,000 children have been killed in Gaza alone."

Commenting on the cost of taking a public stance, Macklemore wrote, "Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access." He argued, "There is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."

His remarks have also drawn support. Singer Pink, who had earlier criticised his comments, later said she did not object to his calls for a "Free Palestine" but had expressed fear as a Jewish mother. Children's entertainer Ms. Rachel criticised Sheeran, writing that he had an opportunity to show "that we won't be bullied" into punishing people who support Palestinians. Irish rap trio Kneecap also voiced support for Macklemore.

What's Next

The tour resumes Friday in Philadelphia without Macklemore, who had been scheduled for eight of the remaining ten US dates. Sheeran has not commented publicly on the removal, and representatives for the singer did not respond to requests for comment at the time of reporting. The Loop Tour is set to conclude in Mexico City in December.