Macklemore revealed Monday that he had been dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, after using his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month to repeatedly call for “Free Palestine.” Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, confirmed that upcoming venues would not allow the tour to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup, citing potential cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.
Macklemore alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured Sheeran over his participation, with other stadium owners joining an ultimatum. In an Instagram statement, Macklemore said the focus should remain on Palestinians, writing: “I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. The victims are the Palestinian people.”
Ms. Rachel, the children’s educator and YouTube personality, posted to Instagram that Sheeran “had an opportunity to show that we won’t be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine.” She added: “A genocide is happening in Gaza. We all need to speak on it.”
Rock band Garbage called the decision “wildly unjust” and defended Macklemore’s comments as “neither violent nor hateful.” The band stated: “Macklemore’s words were not antisemitic. Yet he is being punished for simply pleading for the occupation, the oppression and the violence to stop.”
MUNA and R&B artist Kehlani also expressed solidarity with Macklemore. The Loop Tour resumes Saturday in Philadelphia without him. Sheeran has not publicly responded to Macklemore’s statement or the subsequent reactions.
See Macklemore live
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- Oct 22, 2026 — Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado · Get tickets
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Source: Billboard
