Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour over Palestine stance
US rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's US tour, following comments he made in support of Palestinians during a concert in New Jersey. The decision, confirmed by the tour's promoter, has sparked a wider conversation about free speech, solidarity, and the cost of speaking out on the world stage.
Why was Macklemore dropped from the tour?
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, spoke out in support of people in Gaza and the West Bank during his performance at MetLife Stadium earlier this month. The 43-year-old rapper was due to support Sheeran on the remaining dates of the Loop Tour, but Messina Touring Group, the promoter, confirmed to Rolling Stone that he would no longer be performing.
The promoter said it had been notified by venues hosting upcoming dates that they would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore on the line-up. It said this would result in the cancellation of the tour and affect hundreds of thousands of fans.
“After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates,” the promoter said.
What did Macklemore say about Palestine?
In a lengthy Instagram post on Monday, Macklemore addressed the situation directly. He said Ed Sheeran and his team had made the decision to remove him from the tour, but he insisted that neither he, Sheeran, nor singer Pink, who had criticised his comments, should be viewed as victims.
“The victims are the Palestinian people,” he wrote, referring to those who have been killed, starved, and displaced during the conflict.
Macklemore also claimed that Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, had contacted Sheeran and told him they would not be able to play there unless Macklemore was removed from the tour. According to Macklemore, Sheeran told him that the words “Free Palestine” and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a number of people he had spoken to.
Macklemore said there was a “fundamental disconnect” between their positions and said Sheeran could not move beyond his public stance of not taking sides.
How did the music world react?
Irish rap trio Kneecap and CMAT were among those to voice support for Macklemore on Instagram following his statement. The controversy followed Macklemore's performances at MetLife Stadium, where he spoke about Gaza and the West Bank, and a petition was subsequently launched calling for him to be removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran's tour.
Pink reposted a message criticising Macklemore's comments before later setting out her position in a statement of her own. She said Palestinians “deserve a future that honours their humanity and their aspirations”, but said Macklemore's performance had frightened her and people she loved. She said her repost had been prompted by Macklemore showing images from the war during his performance and then addressing Jewish members of the audience.
Macklemore was among more than 1,100 artists, musicians, and cultural workers who called for a boycott of this year's Eurovision Song Contest over the inclusion of Israel. The letter, coordinated by campaign group No Music For Genocide, was also signed by Faith, Massive Attack, Paul Weller, and Kneecap.
What does this mean for free speech in music?
The removal of Macklemore from the tour raises important questions about the pressure artists face when they take a public stand on political issues. For many, this moment is not just about one rapper's comments, but about whether artists can speak their conscience without fear of professional consequences.
Representatives for Sheeran and the Kraft Group have been contacted for comment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour?
Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's US tour after speaking in support of Palestinians during a concert in New Jersey. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said venues hosting upcoming dates would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore on the line-up.
What did Macklemore say about Palestine?
Macklemore spoke in support of people in Gaza and the West Bank during his performance at MetLife Stadium. He later wrote on Instagram that “the victims are the Palestinian people” and criticised the decision to remove him from the tour.
Who supported Macklemore after the controversy?
Irish rap trio Kneecap and singer CMAT were among those to voice support for Macklemore on Instagram. He was also part of a group of over 1,100 artists who called for a boycott of this year's Eurovision Song Contest over the inclusion of Israel.