Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour over Palestine comments
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Macklemore has been removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following reported objections from several venues over his pro-Palestine statements.
Macklemore has been removed from the remaining United States dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following reported objections from several stadiums over the rapper's public support for Palestinians.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was originally scheduled to perform as Sheeran's opening act for eight of the remaining 10 U.S. shows.
Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the U.S. leg, confirmed that the rapper would no longer be part of the upcoming concerts.
According to the promoter, several venues informed the tour organizers that they would not host the shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup. The company said keeping him on the bill could have resulted in the cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of concertgoers.
The U.S. leg is scheduled to resume on September 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Among the venues reportedly involved are Lincoln Financial Field, Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Representatives for Sheeran and several of the venues had yet to publicly comment on the reports.
Macklemore later shared his side of the story on Instagram, claiming that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, played a major role in his removal from the tour.
According to the rapper, Sheeran told him that Kraft had objected to his participation at Gillette Stadium and had allegedly encouraged other stadium owners to take a similar position.
Kraft confirmed that he made the decision to prohibit Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium.
In his statement, Kraft cited the rapper's recent conduct, material presented during Sheeran's New Jersey concerts, and what he described as a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he said had caused offense and hurt within the Jewish community.
Kraft did not directly address Macklemore's claim that he had coordinated with other stadium owners.
The controversy follows Macklemore's appearances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.
During his September 4 performance, the rapper spoke openly about the Israel-Gaza conflict and voiced his support for Palestinians, including those in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
He also displayed images depicting destruction in Gaza and performed his protest song “Hind's Hall,” which references pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University.
Macklemore has been an outspoken supporter of Palestinians for several years. His political statements have also drawn both support and criticism throughout his career.
In discussing his removal from the tour, he described Sheeran as a friend and acknowledged the difficult position the singer was allegedly placed in.
Macklemore said Sheeran had maintained a largely apolitical public image and claimed the situation challenged that stance.
He also said he and Sheeran had discussed the reaction to his use of the phrase “Free Palestine” and his display of the Palestinian flag during his performances.
The remaining dates of Sheeran's U.S. tour will proceed without Macklemore as the opening act.
Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial. pic.twitter.com/BOJ9xMoIZn
— Macklemore (@macklemore) September 7, 2026
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