Macklemore has been dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour after the American rapper's on-stage remarks supporting Palestine sparked backlash from venues and advocacy groups, prompting organizers to remove him from the final eight shows to prevent tour cancellations.

The controversy erupted on September 4 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Macklemore told the audience during his opening set that he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know "we have not forgotten about them." He concluded his brief speech with the words "Free Palestine," drawing immediate responses from pro-Israel organizations and triggering a petition from the Israeli American Council demanding his removal.

Messina Touring Group, which promotes Sheeran's US tour dates, told Rolling Stone that multiple venues on the upcoming schedule refused to allow concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, threatening to cancel shows that would have affected hundreds of thousands of fans. After discussions with stakeholders, the promoter announced Macklemore would not perform on the remaining support dates.

Venues Object to Political Speech

The Guardian reported that stadiums in Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Tampa were among those that objected to Macklemore's return, creating an untenable situation for tour organizers. Sheeran's Loop Tour is scheduled to resume September 19 in Philadelphia, with ten shows remaining on the US leg.

Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, confirmed publicly that Macklemore has been barred from the venue, according to Al Jazeera. The billionaire's move underscored the pressure facing tour promoters and venue operators caught between an artist's political expression and stakeholder demands.

Macklemore, who has long been an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, addressed the controversy head-on during his second MetLife performance on September 5. "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you," he told Jewish audience members. "My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality."

Singer Pink Weighs In on Debate

The incident drew commentary from fellow musician Pink, who amplified a StopAntisemitism Instagram post accusing Macklemore of "ambushing" fans with "anti-Israel propaganda." In a follow-up post, Pink clarified that she did not object to Macklemore saying "free Palestine" but expressed concern about what she perceived as dismissal of Jewish fear.

"I have never asked for another artist to be silenced and I'm not asking now," Pink wrote. "I don't need anyone fired, and I don't need a refund. What I need is to be able to say, as a Jewish mom, 'that scared me, and it scared people I love,' without being told our fear is just propaganda."

Cosmopolitan reported that Macklemore's remarks on September 4 included a longer explanation of his motivations. "A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: 'Free Palestine,'" he said, adding that he believed not speaking his heart to maintain comfort would mean he no longer deserved to be on stage.

Performance Included Visual Elements

During his performances of the protest anthem "Hind's Hall," Macklemore showed images of devastation from Israeli military attacks in Gaza. The song celebrates protesters who occupied a building they named in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old killed by Israeli forces in 2024.

Macklemore also called US Immigration and Customs Enforcement a "terrorist organization" during his MetLife set, broadening his political commentary beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to include domestic immigration policy.

In a lengthy Instagram post following the controversy, Macklemore defended his remarks and reaffirmed his commitment to speaking out on issues he views as matters of human rights. He emphasized that his message was rooted in opposition to what he characterized as apartheid and genocide, not in bigotry toward Jewish people.

USA Today reported that the Israeli American Council's petition questioned "where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda." The group's campaign gained traction among venue operators and stakeholders, ultimately leading to Macklemore's removal from the tour.

Ed Sheeran did not immediately comment on the controversy or the decision to remove his opening act. Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the final ten US shows before the tour moves to international markets.

The Loop Tour controversy highlights the tension between artistic expression and commercial pressures in large-scale entertainment, where venues, promoters, sponsors, and advocacy groups wield influence over who appears on stage. For Macklemore, the decision represents the latest chapter in a career marked by outspoken political activism on issues ranging from LGBTQ rights to racial justice.