Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine statements

Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran's US tour, after venues reportedly objected to his presence following pro-Palestine statements made during a concert. The promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed the decision, stating that venues on upcoming tour dates would not allow the concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup, which would have forced a cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.

The controversy began during Macklemore's opening sets at Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey on 4 and 5 September. During his performance, Macklemore declared "Free Palestine" and told the audience he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know "we have not forgotten about them". He further called US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a "terrorist organization" and showed images of devastation in Gaza while performing his protest song, 'Hind’s Hall'. The track celebrates pro-Palestine student protesters who occupied a building at Columbia University, naming it after Hind Rajab, a six-year-old killed by the Israeli military in 2024.

Reactions and backlash

Macklemore's remarks quickly drew criticism from several groups. StopAntisemitism accused the rapper of "ambushing fans" with "anti-Israel propaganda" in an Instagram post, which was amplified by singer Pink. Pink later clarified her stance, stating she did not object to Macklemore's call for a "Free Palestine" and was not asking for him to be silenced or fired. However, she expressed that his statements "scared me, and it scared people I love," as a Jewish mother.

The Israeli American Council also launched a petition demanding Macklemore's removal, questioning "where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda." At his second MetLife show, Macklemore reiterated his support for Palestine, directly addressing Jewish audience members. He stated that "criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality."

Tour implications

Macklemore was scheduled to open at eight of the 10 remaining shows on the US leg of Sheeran's Loop tour, which is set to resume on 19 September in Philadelphia. The venues that reportedly objected include Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Representatives for Sheeran and Macklemore have not yet commented on the decision. The promoter's statement, given to Rolling Stone, did not specify which venues objected, nor did it offer their reasons. Many of the listed stadiums, such as Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, are owned or operated by government entities, raising potential First Amendment considerations regarding restricting speech. This stadium, owned by Hillsborough County and operated by the Tampa Sports Authority, hosted Kanye West concerts earlier this year despite his history of antisemitic statements, with legal experts suggesting cancellation would have violated the First Amendment.

Ed Sheeran's North American tour is scheduled to conclude in November at Raymond James Stadium. Other support acts, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, are expected to continue performing as planned.