Tour Lineup Change
Macklemore Removed From Ed Sheeran Tour Following Outspoken Pro-Palestinian Remarks at Venues
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Key Points
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The venues reported to have objected to Macklemore’s participation included Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
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During his opening sets, Macklemore reportedly displayed images depicting destruction in Gaza on the venue screens, in addition to making his verbal appeals for Palestinian freedom.
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The Israeli American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from Sheeran’s tour after his onstage remarks.
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Singer Pink criticized Macklemore’s remarks, reposting a message that characterized his performance as “anti-Israel propaganda” and calling for him to apologize; she later issued a longer social-media statement.
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Macklemore had previously released the 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall,” which supported Palestinians and criticized the music industry for what he described as complicity through silence; the track also referenced Joe Biden and Drake.
Macklemore has been removed from eight remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after venues objected to his pro-Palestinian remarks during opening sets. Variety reported that the rapper urged audiences to "Free Palestine" and displayed images of Gaza destruction on venue screens, prompting the tour promoter Messina Touring Group to warn that stadiums threatened not to host shows with him on the lineup.
The removal affects major stadiums including Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Times of Israel noted that Macklemore defended his comments as a call for equality and peace rather than criticism of Jewish people, but neither he nor Sheeran publicly addressed the lineup change.
Venues Threatened to Cancel Shows Over Macklemore's Presence
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group faced pressure from multiple stadiums across the country. Headtopics reported that venues warned they would not host performances if Macklemore remained on the lineup. The potential cancellations threatened to affect hundreds of thousands of fans and disrupt a major concert tour.
Macklemore's Palestine Advocacy Sparked Backlash From Multiple Sides
During his opening sets, Macklemore made verbal calls for Palestinian freedom and displayed images depicting Gaza destruction on venue screens. Parade reported that the Israeli American Council launched a petition demanding his removal from the tour. Singer Pink also criticized his remarks, reposting messages calling them "anti-Israel propaganda."
Macklemore had previously released "Hind's Hall" in 2024, a protest song supporting Palestinians and criticizing the music industry for silence on the issue. The track also referenced Joe Biden and Drake. He framed his tour statements as supporting equality and peace.
Macklemore Defends His Message Amid Tour Removal
After being dropped, Macklemore spoke out about the decision. Variety reported that he claimed Ed Sheeran told him saying "Free Palestine" was "hurtful to a lot of people." Macklemore maintained that his advocacy was about supporting Palestinian civilians and calling for equality rather than attacking any religious group.
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