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Ed Sheeran Tour Faces Fallout After Macklemore’s Removal
Macklemore spoke about Palestine during a concert on Ed Sheeran’s tour.
He asked the audience to say “Free Palestine.”
After that, he was removed from the remaining U.S. shows.
Sheeran said he did not make that decision.
The tour promoter said some venues would not host the concerts if Macklemore stayed.
Several other musicians then quit the tour to support Macklemore and Palestinians.
Some groups and artists criticized Macklemore, saying his comments could make Jewish or pro-Israeli people feel unsafe.
Macklemore said criticizing Israel’s actions is not the same as attacking Jewish people.
Sheeran said he wants his concerts to bring people together rather than become political events.
Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour after saying “Free Palestine” during a September 4 concert in New Jersey.
Sheeran said the decision was made by the promoter after venues warned they would not host shows with Macklemore on the lineup.
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham later announced they were leaving the remaining tour dates.
Macklemore said artists should speak for Palestinians and denied that his comments were antisemitic.
Sheeran said he was appalled by suffering in the Israel-Palestine conflict but prefers concerts to remain politically neutral spaces.
- Who
- Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and several supporting artists, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham, are involved.
- What
- Macklemore was removed from the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour after pro-Palestinian remarks, prompting several supporting acts to withdraw.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the U.S. leg of The Loop Tour, beginning with a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- When
- Macklemore made the remarks on September 4; the departures and Sheeran’s response were reported on September 15.
- Why
- The tour promoter said venues objected to Macklemore remaining on the lineup, while artists disagreed over political expression and advocacy for Palestinians.
Supporters of Macklemore
Critics and venue concerns
Political speech at concerts
Supporters of Macklemore
Macklemore and the artists who withdrew said musicians should speak about Palestinian suffering and should not be silenced.
Critics and venue concerns
Sheeran said he prefers concerts to be spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together, rather than platforms for political statements.
Reason for Macklemore’s removal
Supporters of Macklemore
Macklemore said stadium owners effectively gave the tour an ultimatum by threatening not to host shows if he remained on the bill.
Critics and venue concerns
Sheeran and the promoter said the decision came from the promoter after venues said they would not allow concerts with Macklemore in the lineup.
Antisemitism allegations
Supporters of Macklemore
Macklemore said criticism of Israel’s actions should not be conflated with antisemitism and denied that his remarks were antisemitic.
Critics and venue concerns
Pro-Israeli groups and Pink criticized his comments, saying they could compromise the safety of Jewish and pro-Israeli people; critics also cited a 2014 costume for which Macklemore later apologized.
Key facts
- Tour
- Ed Sheeran’s The Loop Tour
- Removed artist
- Macklemore
- Initial incident
- Macklemore said “Free Palestine” during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- Promoter
- Messina Touring Group promoted the U.S. leg of the tour.
- Artists who withdrew
- Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham.
- Sheeran’s position
- He said Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision and that he avoids using his professional platform for politics.
- Disputed allegation
- Macklemore rejected claims that his pro-Palestinian advocacy was antisemitic.
Quotes
Macklemore
Rapper and former supporting act on Sheeran’s tour
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine (sic).”
livemint.com
theprint.in
“I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim (sic).”
livemint.com
Sources
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