Full Breakdown
Macklemore’s Removal Triggers a Cascade of Withdrawals on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During his opening set on September 4 and September 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, rapper Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine” and performed the protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Within days, the tour’s promoter announced that Macklemore would be dropped from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour. The decision prompted the tour’s other supporting acts—Aaron Rowe, the Irish folk band Beoga, Danish pop group Lukas Graham, and producer Finneas—to quit in solidarity.
Background & Context
Macklemore has long used his platform to criticize Israel’s war in Gaza, describing the conflict as genocide. His September statements coincided with a petition from the Israeli-American Council urging Sheeran to remove the rapper. Stadium owners, led by New England Patriots billionaire Robert Kraft, warned they would refuse to host the tour if Macklemore remained on the bill. Sheeran, who typically avoids political commentary, said his shows are “not a political forum” and that the removal was a promoter-driven decision.
Timeline
- September 4 – Macklemore’s first MetLife performance, delivers “Free Palestine” speech.
- September 5 – Second MetLife show; repeats pro-Palestinian remarks.
- September 14 – Macklemore posts an Instagram statement blaming Kraft and Sheeran for his removal.
- September 19 – Loop tour resumes in Philadelphia without Macklemore.
- September 25 – Planned Gillette Stadium shows are cancelled after Kraft declares Macklemore’s presence would “cross the line.”
Data & Statistics
- Macklemore was slated for eight of the ten remaining U.S. stadium dates.
- Venues that objected include Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC), AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX), and Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL).
- Following Macklemore’s removal, four additional acts withdrew, leaving the tour without any opening performers.
Official Statements & Responses
- Messina Touring Group, the U.S. leg promoter, confirmed it had been notified that venues would not allow a concert with Macklemore on the lineup, warning that the tour would be cancelled otherwise.
- Finneas posted that “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” and withdrew his South-American dates.
Criticism & Opposition
Robert Kraft framed Macklemore’s remarks as “hate speech” and a violation of Gillette Stadium’s “welcoming environment” policy. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition demanding Macklemore’s removal, arguing his performance crossed a line of “one-sided political agenda.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Sheeran vs. Macklemore: Sheeran maintains the removal was a promoter-driven outcome after venues objected, while Macklemore claims Kraft personally pressured Sheeran and rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum.
- The precise content that triggered the bans remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” — Ed Sheeran
- “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” — Ed Sheeran
- “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children,” — Aaron Rowe