Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour
Rapper Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour after venue owners threatened to cancel shows over his pro-Palestine stage remarks.
American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remainder of the United States leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following outspoken remarks on stage regarding the conflict in Gaza. The controversy unfolded after the Grammy-winning artist used his opening set on Thursday, 4 September 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to call for a free Palestine and perform his protest song "Hind’s Hall."
The Onstage Statements and Backlash
During his appearance at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore delivered a spoken interlude between songs, telling the audience that a primary motivation for joining the tour was to utilize the stadium platform to advocate for Palestinians. He stated that he wanted individuals in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten. His performance featured images of destruction in Gaza displayed on stadium screens while he performed "Hind’s Hall," a track referencing student demonstrations named in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old child killed by the Israeli military in 2024.
The remarks immediately generated intense public debate and swift opposition. The Israeli American Council launched a petition demanding the rapper's removal from the tour, arguing that concert venues should not serve as platforms for one-sided political agendas. Additionally, advocacy group StopAntisemitism accused the musician of surprising fans with anti-Israel messaging. Fellow music artist Pink amplified this criticism on social media. Pink later defended her stance in a post, explaining that as a Jewish mother, the rhetoric caused fear for her and her loved ones without requiring anyone to be fired or silenced.
Macklemore returned to the stage the following night, Friday, 5 September 2026, at MetLife Stadium to reiterate his message and directly address Jewish members of the audience. He maintained that criticism of Israel and apartheid, as well as opposition to genocide, did not constitute a criticism of Jewish people, emphasizing a message centered on peace and human equality.
Promoter Action and Venue Objections
Following days of mounting pressure, Messina Touring Group—the concert promoter for the U.S. Leg of Sheeran's tour—announced on Monday, 14 September 2026, that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining support dates. According to the promoter's statement, multiple venues slated for upcoming tour stops notified organizers that they would refuse to host any concert featuring Macklemore on the bill. The promoter warned that refusing to remove the rapper would result in the cancellation of the entire tour, impacting hundreds of thousands of ticket holders.
| Venue | Location | Tour Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Upcoming stop on tour |
| Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Massachusetts | Objected to lineup |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia | Objected to lineup |
| Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis, Indiana | Objected to lineup |
| Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, North Carolina | Objected to lineup |
| AT&T Stadium | Arlington, Texas | Objected to lineup |
| Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, Florida | Final leg venue |
Macklemore was originally scheduled to open for eight of the remaining ten shows on the U.S. Itinerary. While the rapper was dropped from these dates, other supporting acts, including Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, remain on the bill.
Macklemore's Response and Allegations Regarding Venue Owners
In a detailed statement shared via Instagram on Monday, 14 September 2026, Macklemore addressed his removal and placed responsibility on stadium leadership rather than Sheeran or Pink. He claimed that Ed Sheeran informed him of a phone call from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, was scheduled to host the tour later in the month. According to Macklemore, Kraft rallied fellow stadium owners to issue an ultimatum demanding the rapper's exclusion.
Macklemore asserted that Sheeran was placed in a difficult position due to his customary apolitical stance being challenged by stakeholders who found references to the Palestinian flag and the phrase "Free Palestine" objectionable. In his post, Macklemore emphasized that neither he, Sheeran, nor Pink were true victims of the situation, redirecting focus toward the humanitarian toll in Gaza. He also used the statement to criticize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, labeling the agency a terrorist organization.
Next Steps for the Tour
Ed Sheeran and his representatives did not immediately reply to requests for comment regarding the venue ultimatums. The U.S. Loop Tour is scheduled to resume on Friday, 19 September 2026, in Philadelphia, proceeding without Macklemore on the lineup and concluding its North American run in November in Tampa, Florida.
