Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour After Onstage 'Free Palestine' Statements

Ed Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour is losing its opening act midway through the run. Macklemore has been dropped from the remaining support dates after pro-Palestine statements he made during two shows at MetLife Stadium in early September, a move confirmed Monday by the tour's promoter, Messina Touring Group.

The promoter said venues on the upcoming U.S. dates told the company they would not allow a concert with Macklemore on the lineup, a stance that could have led to tour cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. "After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates," Messina said in a statement provided to Rolling Stone.

Macklemore, who joined the tour earlier this month, performed at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 and 5. During the first show he chanted "Free Palestine," showed images of destruction in Gaza, and performed his protest song "Hind's Hall," named for Hind Rajab, a six-year-old killed by Israeli military, according to multiple outlets.

The rapper had been slated to open eight of the ten remaining U.S. shows, including stops in Philadelphia, Foxborough, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Arlington, and Tampa. Rolling Stone reported that venues in those cities objected, including Gillette Stadium owned by Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Macklemore said Sheeran told him Kraft said the rapper would not be allowed to perform at Gillette and that Kraft rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum. "Ed was in a fucked up position," Macklemore wrote, according to Billboard and Pitchfork.

Kraft, in a statement to NBC News, said the decision was 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." Kraft did not address the claim that he rallied other owners.

The controversy drew reactions from other artists. Pink reposted criticism from StopAntisemitism, then explained she did not object to the phrase "Free Palestine" but felt scared as a Jewish mother. The Israeli American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore's removal.

Macklemore, who has supported Palestinian rights for years, said his message is for peace and equality. At the second MetLife show he told Jewish audience members, "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you."

The Loop Tour resumes Sept. 19 in Philadelphia with Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe as openers. Macklemore's removal does not affect the Latin American leg, where Finneas is scheduled to support Sheeran.