Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Sheeran Says Promoter Axed Macklemore as Acts Quit Tour
Ed Sheeran is performing concerts across the United States.
Macklemore was supposed to perform before him at many of the remaining shows.
During a concert in New Jersey, Macklemore said “Free Palestine” and criticized Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
After complaints, venues said they would not host shows if Macklemore stayed on the lineup.
Sheeran said he tried to find a compromise but that the promoter and venues made the final decision.
Sheeran said his concerts should focus on unity, joy and peace rather than politics.
Several other musicians left the tour because they believed Macklemore was being silenced.
Critics said Macklemore’s remarks and an old costume could make Jewish and pro-Israeli people feel unsafe.
Macklemore later said he would donate $1 million to Palestinian relief organizations.
Ed Sheeran said organizers, not he, removed Macklemore from the U.S. leg of his Loop Tour.
The decision followed Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian remarks, including his “Free Palestine” statement at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Macklemore had been scheduled for eight of Sheeran’s remaining 10 stadium shows, starting September 19 in Philadelphia.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestinians.
Critics cited concerns about Jewish and pro-Israeli safety and Macklemore’s 2014 antisemitism-related costume; Macklemore also announced a $1 million donation to Palestinian relief organizations.
- Who
- Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, tour promoters and venues, Robert Kraft, the Israeli-American Council, and departing acts including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga.
- What
- Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s remaining U.S. tour dates after pro-Palestinian remarks, prompting several performers to leave in solidarity.
- When
- Macklemore spoke at a September 4 concert; Sheeran addressed the dispute on September 16, and the tour was scheduled to resume September 19.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Sheeran’s U.S. stadium tour, including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Gillette Stadium outside Boston.
- Why
- Venues and promoters said they would not host shows featuring Macklemore after backlash over his remarks; Sheeran said their decision was final.
Macklemore and artist solidarity
Promoters, critics and venue concerns
Macklemore’s removal
Macklemore and artist solidarity
Macklemore and departing performers viewed his exclusion as silencing advocacy for Palestinians and criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Promoters, critics and venue concerns
Venues and promoters decided that shows with Macklemore could create problems after backlash over his remarks. The Israeli-American Council also petitioned for his removal.
Role of concerts
Macklemore and artist solidarity
Macklemore wanted to use stadium performances to publicly support Palestinians and draw attention to suffering in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Promoters, critics and venue concerns
Sheeran said audiences attend his concerts for unity, joy, escapism and love, not as a political forum, while acknowledging Macklemore’s right to speak publicly.
Safety and past imagery
Macklemore and artist solidarity
Macklemore said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people, while his supporters defended his right to say “Free Palestine.”
Promoters, critics and venue concerns
Pink, pro-Israeli groups and other critics said his comments could compromise the safety of Jewish and pro-Israeli people at events. Critics also cited his 2014 costume, which Macklemore later apologized for, as invoking antisemitic stereotypes.
- Tour
- Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour
- Macklemore’s scheduled dates
- Eight of Sheeran’s remaining 10 U.S. stadium shows
- Tour resumption
- September 19 in Philadelphia
- Macklemore’s remarks
- He said “Free Palestine” and criticized Israeli government actions in Gaza and the West Bank during a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium.
- Sheeran’s position
- He said Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s and venues’ decision, not his, and that he wanted concerts to remain spaces of unity and peace.
- Departing performers
- Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga
- Macklemore’s donation
- He said he would donate $1 million of his earnings to Palestinian relief organizations.
- Robert Kraft’s role
- Kraft said Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium; Macklemore said Kraft pressured other stadium owners, while Reuters reported Kraft had not publicly addressed that specific claim.
Sources
'I am not complicit': Ed Sheeran responds to Macklemore’s removal from US tour
Ed Sheeran’s openings quit tour after Macklemore dumped for pro-Palestinian remarks
Ed Sheeran’s opening acts quit tour after Macklemore axed for pro-Palestinian remarks