Macklemore Reportedly Removed From Ed Sheeran Tour Following 'Free Palestine' Remarks
Promoter removed Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's tour following venue threats, which risked canceling shows for hundreds of thousands of fans.
- On Monday, September 14, 2026, promoter Messina Touring Group announced rapper Macklemore will no longer perform on Ed Sheeran's remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates after multiple venues threatened to cancel shows.
- Controversy escalated after Macklemore chanted "Free Palestine" and performed his protest song "Hind's Hall" at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, earlier this month, prompting the Israeli-American Council to launch a removal petition.
- Messina confirmed that multiple stadium operators refused to host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, stating his participation would force cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.
- Macklemore alleged in an Instagram statement that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured Sheeran to remove him, though neither Sheeran nor Kraft's representatives have publicly corroborated the ultimatum claim.
- The removal reflects shifting commercial responses to political expression in stadium venues, where operators increasingly face pressure to manage public backlash by intervening in touring lineups.
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Ms. Rachel Calls Out Ed Sheeran Over Latest Tour Decision
Ms. Rachel criticized Ed Sheeran after Macklemore was removed from his tour. The children’s entertainer accused Sheeran of caving to outside pressure. She also defended Macklemore’s support for Palestine. Ms. Rachel accuses Ed Sheeran of caving to pressure after dropping Macklemore from his tour. Ms. Rachel shared her criticism on Instagram following the tour decision. […]
American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of British singer Ed Sheeran's "LOOP" tour following controversy over his political statements in support of Palestine, Rolling Stone reports. The 43-year-old musician, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, will not continue as an opening act after several major concert halls and stadiums in the United States informed organizers that they would not allow him on their st…
Rapper Macklemore opened for popular singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. He said, among other things, "Free Palestine." Following pressure from American stadium owners regarding Macklemore's activism, he was removed from the tour on Monday.
Macklemore was supposed to tour the United States with Sheeran. He was to open for ten shows, but ultimately only did two.
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