Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran US Tour After Pro-Palestine Speech
American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran‘s US tour following venue objections to his pro-Palestine remarks during performances earlier this month. Concert promoters confirmed the lineup change after stadium owners threatened to cancel shows if the artist remained on the bill.
Venue Owners Forced Lineup Revision Over New Jersey Speeches
The rapper, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, performed at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 4 and 5. During those appearances, he wore a keffiyeh, performed his protest song *Hind’s Hall*, displayed footage from Gaza, and addressed the crowd with calls for a free Palestine.
Messina Touring Group, which promotes the US leg of the tour, stated that upcoming venues refused to host any concert featuring Macklemore on the lineup. The promoter noted that proceeding with him would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans. Consequently, stakeholders agreed to remove him from the remaining schedule.
Macklemore had been slated to perform at eight of the final ten US concerts, with the leg scheduled to resume in Philadelphia on September 19.
Robert Kraft, whose company owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, explained that the decision to bar the performer was based on his recent stage actions, materials used during the New Jersey shows, and what he characterized as a broader pattern of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Kraft stated that the measure was not intended to diminish the suffering of innocent Palestinians or restrict advocacy, but asserted that such advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community.
In response, Macklemore rejected any suggestion that his support for Palestinians constituted antisemitism. He maintained that criticism of Israel, opposition to Zionism, and advocating for Palestine are distinct from hatred toward Jewish people. The rapper also addressed his relationship with Sheeran, whom he described as a friend of thirteen years, stating he hoped the disagreement would not sever their personal ties. Sheeran has not issued a public statement regarding the removal.
