Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour for supporting Palestinian rights
Promoter says objections from venues threatened remaining concerts on Ed Sheeran’s US stadium tour
NEW YORK (MNTV) — US rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s US stadium tour after several venues reportedly objected to his participation over his outspoken support for Palestinians.
Macklemore, who has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and called for a “free Palestine” during performances, had been scheduled to appear at eight of the 10 remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
Messina Touring Group, which promotes the US tour, told Rolling Stone that it was informed by venues that they would not permit concerts featuring Macklemore.
The promoter said keeping the rapper on the lineup could have jeopardized the remaining tour dates and affected hundreds of thousands of concertgoers.
“After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates,” the company said.
In response, Macklemore said Sheeran and his team had made the decision to remove him from the tour, while stressing that the controversy should not distract from the suffering of Palestinians.
“I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim,” he wrote, noting that all three artists have wealth, careers, security and the ability to return home to their families.
“The victims are the Palestinian people,” Macklemore said, pointing to Palestinians killed, displaced and facing hunger in Gaza.
He said the decision followed pressure from stadium owners after remarks he made at MetLife Stadium.
According to Macklemore, Sheeran told him last Monday that Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, had said the rapper would not be allowed to perform there.
Macklemore further claimed that Kraft had contacted other stadium owners and that they collectively presented Sheeran with an ultimatum: remove Macklemore from the tour or lose access to their venues.
“Ed told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners,” Macklemore wrote, adding that they allegedly warned Sheeran he would not be allowed to perform at their venues if Macklemore remained on the tour.
Macklemore said he wanted the focus to remain on Palestinians in Gaza rather than on the professional consequences faced by prominent artists who speak publicly about the war.
Venues reportedly raising objections 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.
The promoter, however, did not specify which individual venues had formally opposed Macklemore’s participation.
Sheeran’s US tour is scheduled to resume Friday in Philadelphia.
Macklemore has emerged as one of the most prominent US musicians publicly criticizing Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
He has repeatedly used concerts and other public appearances to voice support for Palestinians and condemn Israel’s war crimes.
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