Full Breakdown
Gillette Stadium Ban of Macklemore Triggers Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced that rapper Macklemore will not perform at the September 25-26 shows at Gillette Stadium during Ed Sheeran’s U.S. “Loop” tour. The ban led concert promoter Messina Touring Group to drop Macklemore from all remaining U.S. dates, reducing his scheduled appearances from eight to two.
Background & Context
Macklemore opened Sheeran’s Met Life Stadium shows on September 4 and September 5 and used his set to chant “Free Palestine,” display Gaza-war footage, and perform the protest song “Hind’s Hall.” The performance drew criticism from pro-Israel groups, including the Israeli-American Council (IAC), and from fellow artist Pink, who called the remarks “hurtful.” In response, several NFL venues reportedly warned they would not host concerts featuring Macklemore, prompting Kraft to intervene for the Gillette stop.
Timeline
- September 4 & 5, 2026 – Macklemore’s Met Life set includes “Free Palestine” chant and Gaza imagery.
- (Later this month) – Kraft releases a statement defending the ban; Messina Touring Group confirms Macklemore’s removal from the remaining tour dates.
- September 25 & 26, 2026 (scheduled) – Planned Gillette Stadium concerts proceed without Macklemore.
Official Statements & Responses
Kraft noted his long-standing anti-antisemitism work and expressed willingness to discuss the matter with Macklemore.
Macklemore posted an Instagram message claiming Kraft personally called Sheeran, warned that he would be barred from Gillette, and coordinated an industry-wide ultimatum. He framed the removal as a consequence of his “Free Palestine” stance and reiterated that his criticism targets Israeli policy, not Jewish people.
Criticism & Opposition
- The IAC filed a petition urging Sheeran to drop Macklemore, labeling his remarks as “hate speech.”
- Pink, a Jewish pop star, condemned Macklemore’s speech as “anti-Israel propaganda.”
- The Anti-Defamation League classified the comments as “hateful” and cited a 2014 incident in which Macklemore wore a costume resembling antisemitic caricatures.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech,” — Robert Kraft
- “I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate,” — Robert Kraft
- “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,’” — Variety, citing Macklemore
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Kraft’s statement does not confirm coordination with other owners, and no venue representatives have publicly corroborated Macklemore’s claim. Consequently, the extent of Kraft’s influence beyond Gillette Stadium remains unclear.
What’s Next
The September 25-26 Gillette shows will proceed with Ed Sheeran as the sole headliner. Remaining tour stops at NFL venues—including Lincoln Financial Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and AT&T Stadium—have indicated they will not host Macklemore. Both parties have left the door open for future dialogue, with Kraft stating he would welcome a meeting to “discuss the facts.”