Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after ‘Free Palestine’ comments

Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour following his pro-Palestinian comments during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The decision followed objections from upcoming venues, with tour promoter Messina Touring Group saying it had been told concerts would not be allowed to proceed with Macklemore on the line-up.

Sheeran has since responded to the controversy, saying removing the rapper was the promoter’s decision and that he had spent days trying to find a resolution.

What did Macklemore say?

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, appeared at MetLife Stadium on 4 September.

During the show, he projected footage of Gaza, performed his protest track Hind’s Hall and spoke about his support for Palestinians.

“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 told the crowd.

His comments prompted criticism, including from the Israeli American Council, which called for him to be removed from the tour.

At a second MetLife performance on 5 September, Macklemore addressed Jewish members of the audience and said his criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people.

Venues objected to Macklemore performing

Messina Touring Group subsequently confirmed that Macklemore would no longer appear on the remaining US dates.

The promoter said it had been notified by venues that they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the line-up. According to the promoter, this risked the cancellation of the tour and would affect hundreds of thousands of fans.

Macklemore alleged that billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, played a leading role in the pushback from venues.

Kraft confirmed his opposition to Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, citing what he described as a broader history of rhetoric and imagery he believed had been offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.

Ed Sheeran says it wasn’t his decision

Sheeran has since responded following criticism over Macklemore’s removal.

He said he had spoken with venues and been involved in discussions with promoters and activists in an attempt to find a resolution.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said.

According to Sheeran, the decision by the venues and promoter was ultimately final.

Macklemore stands by his position

Macklemore has not backed away from his comments.

In a lengthy statement, he reiterated his support for Palestinians and said he and Sheeran had held difficult discussions over the issue.

The rapper also stressed that he did not consider himself, Sheeran or other artists involved to be the victims of the controversy, instead directing attention back towards Palestinian civilians.

The fallout has since widened, with other supporting acts withdrawing from upcoming Loop tour dates in solidarity with Macklemore.

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