Full Breakdown
Macklemore’s Removal Triggers Mass Walk-Out on Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
The controversy stems from the Israel-Hamas war that began after the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. Human-rights groups and United Nations investigators have described Israel’s Gaza campaign as amounting to genocide, while Israeli officials reject that characterization. In this climate, rapper Macklemore used his opening slot on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4 and September 5 to call for “Free Palestine” and to show footage of Gaza’s devastation. His remarks sparked a petition from the Israeli-American Council and criticism from pro-Israel groups.
Core Event – Macklemore Dropped and Support Acts Quit
Venue owners told Sheeran’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, that they would cancel the remaining U.S. dates if Macklemore stayed on the bill. The promoter announced that Macklemore would not perform on the eight remaining shows. Within hours, four other artists—Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga—publicly withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and in protest of the venue pressure.
Data & Statistics
- Social-media impact: Ed Sheeran lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers in a few days, while the four departing acts collectively gained 1.638 million followers.
- Tour personnel: The withdrawing acts represented the entire remaining opening lineup, leaving the tour without any scheduled support performers.
- Casualty figures: BBC reporting cites more than 73,780 Palestinians killed in Gaza; The Guardian reports over 75,000 deaths.
Official Statements & Responses
- Ed Sheeran: “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.”
- Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium: the venue would not provide a platform for “hate speech” and argued that selective information about the conflict “advances more divisiveness and hate.”
Criticism & Opposition
Kraft’s stance was echoed by the Israeli-American Council, which launched a petition demanding Sheeran remove Macklemore, labeling the rapper’s stage use as a “one-sided political agenda.” Singer Pink, a Jewish artist, warned that Macklemore’s remarks “ambushed fans with anti-Israel propaganda.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine,” — Ed Sheeran
- “Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation,” — Lukas Graham
- “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
- “I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes,” — Ed Sheeran
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Casualty numbers differ: the BBC cites more than 73,780 Palestinian deaths, while The Guardian reports over 75,000. Both figures are drawn from health-ministry data considered reliable by the United Nations, but the exact tally remains unverified. Venue owners cited Macklemore’s “how” of delivering his message as the trigger; the full content of his speeches has not been publicly released.
What’s Next
The Loop Tour is scheduled to resume on September 19 in Philadelphia, with stops at Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. With no opening acts confirmed, Sheeran faces the logistical challenge of delivering full-length shows without his usual support lineup. Further statements from venue owners or the promoter could affect the remaining dates.