Full Breakdown
Macklemore Removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Stadium Tour After Pressure from Patriots Owner Robert Kraft
By Drooid · · How we work
The Decision and Its Immediate Context
Rapper Macklemore was dropped from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” stadium tour after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft objected to Macklemore’s on-stage pro-Palestinian remarks made at Met Life Stadium in early September. Kraft’s stadium group told the tour promoter that Macklemore’s participation would “cross the line” of the venue’s policy against hate speech. The Messina Touring Group announced that Macklemore would no longer appear on any of the tour’s support dates.
Background to the Controversy
During Labor Day weekend shows at Met Life Stadium, Macklemore opened his set with a “Free Palestine” chant, displayed images of Gaza’s devastation, and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” He framed the remarks as a call to remember Palestinians amid the humanitarian crisis that followed the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The Israeli American Council and other pro-Israel groups quickly launched a petition demanding Sheeran remove Macklemore, arguing that the language was “hurtful” to many concertgoers.
Timeline of Key Developments
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early September | Macklemore opens Sheeran’s Met Life shows with “Free Palestine” speech. |
| Later September | Planned Gillette Stadium concerts canceled for Macklemore. |
| Subsequent NFL venues | Remaining stadium dates proceed without Macklemore. |
Official Statements & Responses
Kraft said the move was not intended to diminish Palestinian suffering, emphasizing his support for “peace for all people” and his long-standing philanthropic work. He framed the removal as a silencing of advocacy, noting that the episode amplified the “Free Palestine” message for him. Ed Sheeran has not publicly commented, and the promoter reiterated that venues refused to host Macklemore, warning that his continued presence could have forced a full tour cancellation affecting “hundreds of thousands of fans.”
Criticism & Opposition
Pop star Pink reposted an Instagram story from the StopAntisemitism campaign, labeling Macklemore’s performance “anti-Israel propaganda” and calling for apologies and refunds for concertgoers.
Data & Statistics
- Seven NFL stadiums (including Gillette, Lincoln Financial Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, Bank of America Stadium, AT&T Stadium, and Raymond James Stadium) formally objected to Macklemore’s inclusion.
- The tour originally featured eight U.S. stadium dates; all now proceed without the rapper.
- Macklemore’s Met Life set featured a keffiyeh and projected images of Gaza’s destruction, prompting the venue-owner backlash.
What’s Next
The “Loop” tour will continue at the remaining NFL venues, with Macklemore excluded from the bill.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The truth is, a big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I can stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine,” — Macklemore
- “Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line," said Kraft.” — Messina Touring Group
- “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,” — Messina Touring Group