Macklemore Reportedly Removed From Ed Sheeran Tour Following 'Free Palestine' Remarks
The promoter said venues would not allow him on the lineup, citing backlash over his pro-Palestinian remarks and a risk of 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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Ed Sheeran breaks silence after Macklemore dropped from tour after Gaza comment
Ed Sheeran has broken his silence after criticism over the removal of rapper Macklemore from his upcoming North American tour dates, insisting he is "not complicit" and saying promoters and venues ultimately made the decision, not him.
Macklemore Claims Palestine Advocacy Cost Him Spot On Ed Sheeran Tour
Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour. Messina Touring Group, the promoter behind Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, released a statement regarding Macklemore’s removal from the remaining dates. “As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not […]
Rapper Macklemore will no longer be part of Ed Sheeran's US tour, where he was supporting the band, after comments he made on stage in support of Palestine. The artist, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, chanted the slogan "Freedom for Palestine" at two concerts, prompting complaints from several Jewish groups.
Daily News-Record
Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore over rapper's pro-Palestinian comments was 'promoter’s decision'
Ed Sheeran has addressed the removal of rapper Macklemore as his opening act after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments during a performance. Sheeran stated on Instagram that the removal decision was made solely by the tour promoters. He emphasized his…
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