Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine remarks

Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour has sparked a high-profile clash over free speech, political activism, and the boundaries of artistic expression in live performance. The Seattle rapper, known for hits like “Thrift Shop,” was dropped from the remainder of the tour following backlash over his pro-Palestine remarks during two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, 2026. The decision, announced by tour promoter Messina Touring Group on September 14, came after venues reportedly threatened to cancel the tour if Macklemore remained on the lineup.

The Incident at MetLife Stadium

Macklemore’s pro-Palestine statements during his opening sets at MetLife Stadium became the focal point of the controversy. During his first performance, he declared, “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 followed this with a performance of his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall,” which references the death of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in 2024. Images of Gaza’s devastation were projected behind him as he delivered the track.

The remarks drew immediate criticism from groups like the Israeli-American Council, which launched a petition demanding his removal from the tour. Pink, who had previously shared posts critical of Macklemore’s performance, reiterated her stance, stating that she did not want to “silence” artists but expressed concern over the “anti-Israel propaganda” she claimed was “ambushed” on fans. However, she later clarified she did not seek Macklemore’s removal, emphasizing that “I have never asked for another artist to be silenced.”

Macklemore defended his actions, stating in a September 14 Instagram post that his message was “for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.” He also addressed Jewish audience members, asserting, “Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.”

Venue Backlash and Tour Cancellation

The controversy escalated when venues allegedly pressured Sheeran’s team to remove Macklemore. Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour, stated that venues “will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans.” The company confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at the remaining dates, which include shows at Lincoln Financial Field, Gillette Stadium, and AT&T Stadium, among others.

Macklemore alleged that the pressure originated from Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium. In his Instagram post, he claimed that Kraft had “rallied some of the other stadium owners” and issued an ultimatum to Sheeran: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.” Kraft’s office has not commented on the allegations, and Sheeran’s representatives have not publicly addressed the situation.

The decision to drop Macklemore came after a week of “difficult conversations” with Sheeran, whom Macklemore described as a 13-year friend. “Our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened,” he wrote, adding that he had “lost all of those things” — money, brand deals, and performance access — but “there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”

Macklemore’s Defense and Friendship with Sheeran

Macklemore framed his removal as a necessary sacrifice for his principles. “If those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on,” he wrote. He also emphasized that his remarks were not a rejection of Jewish people, stating, “My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.”

Despite the fallout, Macklemore maintained that his friendship with Sheeran remained intact. “I consider him a brother,” he wrote, though he acknowledged the “painful disagreement” had strained their relationship. Sheeran has not publicly commented on the situation, but his team reportedly prioritized avoiding tour cancellations over retaining Macklemore.

The incident has reignited debates about the role of artists in political activism. While some praised Macklemore for using his platform to highlight Palestinian struggles, others criticized his remarks as divisive. The Israeli-American Council argued that “this was an Ed Sheeran concert – not a political rally,” while advocates for Palestinian rights defended his right to speak out.

The fallout from Macklemore’s removal underscores the tensions between artistic expression and commercial interests in the entertainment industry. As the Loop Tour moves forward, the incident raises broader questions about the limits of political advocacy in live performance and the power of venue owners to shape the cultural landscape. With the next stop in Philadelphia on September 19, the tour’s continuation without Macklemore will be closely watched by fans, activists, and industry observers alike.