Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran’s US Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Speech

American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after his pro-Palestinian remarks during a September 4 performance in New Jersey triggered controversy and objections from venues.

Macklemore performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he urged the audience to say “Free Palestine” and said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten. He also performed his song Hind’s Hall, which has been associated with pro-Palestinian activism. His remarks subsequently circulated widely on social media.

Messina Touring Group, promoter of the US leg of Sheeran’s tour, said venues hosting upcoming shows had informed them that they would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore on the lineup. The promoter said retaining him could have resulted in cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans, leading to the decision to remove him from the remaining support dates.

Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at eight of Sheeran’s remaining 10 US shows, including concerts at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The tour is scheduled to resume on September 19 in Philadelphia.

Sheeran later clarified that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision, not his own. He said venues had threatened to pull upcoming shows because of how part of Macklemore’s message was delivered. Sheeran said he did not want to abandon fans, touring crew members, musicians and other workers dependent on the concerts.

The dispute has since affected other performers. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga have withdrawn from the tour, with their statements expressing support for Palestine and solidarity with Macklemore. Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking about oppressed people.

The episode has brought renewed attention to the debate over political expression, artistic freedom and the role of venues and promoters in live entertainment.