Rapper Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following backlash over pro-Palestinian remarks he made on stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, triggering a widening controversy involving stadium owners, supporting artists, and shifting ticket sales.
How the Controversy Unfolded at MetLife Stadium
The dispute began during the opening night of Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey. During his performance, Macklemore used his set to speak in support of Palestinians, introducing his protest song Hind’s Hall
—which was released in 2024 in support of pro-Palestinian student protests in the US—and telling the crowd that a major reason he wanted to join the tour was to be able to stand in stadiums and say Free Palestine
.
The rapper returned to the stage the following night for a second performance at the New Jersey venue, addressing Jewish members of the audience directly. He maintained that his criticism of Israel and his use of terms like apartheid and genocide were not directed at Jewish people. The statements drew immediate public pushback. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition demanding his removal, arguing that an opening act should not use a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda. The campaign group StopAntisemitism also criticized the musician, and singer Pink shared related posts before publishing her own statement explaining her concerns about the performance.
Robert Kraft and Venue Owners Force the Rapper’s Exit
On September 14, Macklemore announced via Instagram that he had been dropped from the tour following a series of private conversations between him and Sheeran. According to the rapper, Sheeran stated that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had called to say Macklemore would be barred from performing at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Macklemore alleged that Kraft subsequently rallied other venue owners to issue an ultimatum threatening to cancel scheduled shows if the rapper remained on the bill.
Concert promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that venues hosting upcoming dates had informed them they would refuse to allow the concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. Kraft issued a statement confirming his decision to ban the rapper from Gillette Stadium, citing what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Ed Sheeran Defends Continuing the Tour Amid Support Act Withdrawals
As the controversy widened, multiple supporting acts announced they were withdrawing from the remaining dates in solidarity. Irish band Beoga—who served as Sheeran’s backing band—alongside Irish musician Aaron Rowe, US artist Finneas, and Danish band Lukas Graham all pulled out of the upcoming shows. British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg publicly urged Sheeran to cancel his remaining tour dates altogether, warning that continuing could tarnish his career and make him a pariah.
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
Ed Sheeran, via CNBC
Impact on Ticket Markets and Resale Volume
The dispute has created diverging trends across ticket markets for both artists. Resale prices for Macklemore’s upcoming October concert at Red Rocks in Colorado have climbed, with price tracking firm TicketData reporting that the get-in price increased over a three-day period. Meanwhile, Macklemore announced he would donate his earnings from the tour to Palestinian aid organizations.
For Sheeran’s tour stops, secondary market prices have dipped.
Broader Celebrity and Political Reactions
As Sheeran prepares to carry out his upcoming stadium dates, the controversy highlights ongoing tensions over how major live music venues, artists, and promoters manage political speech on global touring stages.