Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour’ after making pro-Palestinian statements during a performance. This decision followed venues notifying the promoter, Messina Touring Group, that Macklemore’s presence would lead to tour cancellations impacting numerous fans.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, the promoter shared, “After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.” Macklemore had been scheduled to appear at eight of the ten remaining shows.
Following this announcement, Macklemore addressed the issue on Instagram. He stated, “I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth.” He emphasized that neither he, Ed Sheeran, nor Pink are victims in this situation, highlighting their relative safety and opportunities compared to the Palestinian victims of the conflict.
Macklemore was criticized for his performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he chanted “Free Palestine” while showing footage from Gaza. This led to backlash, including criticism from an Instagram page, “Stop Antisemitism,” and Pink, who shared the post.
Macklemore’s stance has stirred conversations about the impact of celebrity opinions on contentious issues. He expressed his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, noting the suffering of Palestinians and questioning the reactions to his statements shared on stage.
He revealed conversations with Ed Sheeran, detailing how the ‘Free Palestine’ message was perceived as offensive. The controversy drew in New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who allegedly influenced other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum concerning Macklemore’s involvement.
Despite controversy, Macklemore reiterated his position on Palestine. “What I said at MetLife I have been saying on stages around the world for almost three years. So why is it an issue now?” he asked, highlighting the scale of the tour with one of the world’s biggest artists.
The rapper acknowledged the challenges of being associated with a high-profile artist like Sheeran and maintained the importance of speaking out about Palestinian issues. He expressed hope that this situation wouldn’t damage his friendship with Sheeran, stating, “And one of the most effective ways to enforce that silence has been to weaponize the accusation of antisemitism.”
While representatives for Sheeran and Kraft did not respond to requests for comments, Macklemore stands by his commitment to raising awareness about Palestine, indicating personal success despite being removed from the tour.