The controversy surrounding U.S. rapper Macklemore and British singer Ed Sheeran has escalated into a major disruption of the latter’s North American Loop Tour, with all four remaining supporting acts withdrawing in protest at Macklemore’s removal from the bill over his support for Palestine.
The dispute began after Macklemore performed two shows at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 and 5. In his opening set, he called for a “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” addressing the war in Gaza and criticism of Israel. He also told Jewish members of the audience that criticism of Israel and opposition to the genocide was not criticism of the Jewish people.
The performances prompted criticism from several pro-Israel and Jewish advocacy organizations. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s remaining shows, while the Anti-Defamation League also criticized his remarks.
Macklemore subsequently announced he was no longer with the tour. In an Instagram statement, he said he had held difficult conversations with Sheeran and alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had pressured Sheeran over his participation. Macklemore said Kraft had rallied other stadium owners and that Sheeran had effectively been given an ultimatum: remove Macklemore or risk losing access to venues.
Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, confirmed that he did not want Macklemore performing there. He said allowing him to perform would conflict with the stadium’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment and not providing a platform for “hate speech.”
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group also confirmed that Macklemore had been removed after several venues indicated they would not host shows featuring him. Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at eight of Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates.
As public outrage mounted over Macklemore’s removal, Sheeran broke his silence on Tuesday, claiming the removal was “the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.” In an Instagram statement, he said Macklemore had asked to join the tour and that he respected him as an artist. He said Macklemore had been allowed to choose his own set list, as had the other support acts.
According to Sheeran, however, several venues subsequently told the tour that they would cancel or refuse to host the shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. Sheeran said he had attempted to mediate between the promoter, venue owners and people on both sides of the dispute, but ultimately could not resolve the issue. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,” he said.
He also defended his decision not to make public political statements about the Israel-Palestine conflict, saying his concerts were intended to bring people from different backgrounds together. He said he was “appalled” by the suffering caused by the conflict and described it as a human tragedy, but said he preferred to use his platform as a place for dialogue and inclusion rather than political campaigning.
“I am not complicit,” he wrote, adding that having personal views on the conflict did not necessarily mean he would express them publicly.
Walkouts
The controversy escalated has dramatically after all four remaining supporting acts announced they were leaving the tour over the treatment of Macklemore.
Grammy-winning musician and brother/collaborator of Billie Eilish Finneas said “artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” Announcing his withdrawal from upcoming dates with Sheeran, he said he stood with Palestine and its people.
Similarly, Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe said he could not continue performing while artists were being silenced for speaking about Palestinians. He cited Ireland’s own history of forced famine, occupation and conflict and ended his statement with “Free Palestine.”
Lukas Forchhammer-led Danish band Lukas Graham similarly expressed gratitude to Sheeran for their relationship but argued that wealth should not determine who gets to speak or which suffering merits acknowledgement. The band withdrew from the remaining dates.
Irish folk band Beoga, which performs with Sheeran during portions of his show and has collaborated with him, including on “Galway Girl,” said it was leaving because it did not want to perform in venues where artists advocating for Palestine could be silenced.
Macklemore remains firm
Macklemore has shown no indication of backing away from his position. In his statement announcing his removal, he said he was not seeking sympathy and argued that the professional consequences faced by artists were insignificant compared with the suffering of Palestinians.
He also defended his distinction between criticism of Israel and antisemitism, saying his comments were directed at Israeli government policies and the treatment of Palestinians rather than Jewish people.
Macklemore and Sheeran remain friends, according to statements from both artists, although the dispute has exposed a sharp disagreement over how performers should use their platforms.
The controversy has also widened into a debate over the influence of wealthy venue owners and promoters over political expression by performers. The departures of Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga have transformed what initially appeared to be a dispute over one support act into a broader confrontation involving artistic freedom, the commercial pressures surrounding stadium tours and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
For now, Sheeran’s tour is continuing, but with its entire announced support lineup gone after Macklemore’s removal, it remains unclear whether replacement acts would be secured for the remaining dates.