Artists in Gaza City painted a mural of US rapper Macklemore wrapped in a Palestinian flag after he was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour following onstage calls for a Free Palestine.
Mural Painted in Gaza City Following Tour Removal
Artists in Gaza City have painted a mural of US rapper Macklemore wrapped in a Palestinian flag on a large concrete slab amid the ruins of the city. The artwork depicts the rapper raising a fist in the air alongside the message Thank you for using your voice for Palestine,
according to reporting from the region.
The mural was designed and painted by 26-year-old artist Anne Redwan alongside fellow artist Qusai al-Helo. We wanted to send a message to thank rapper Macklemore in this simple way,
Redwan said.
“As an artist living under siege here in Gaza, we are waiting for support from anyone who can see (the) persecution we live under. We can paint murals bigger than this to express our feelings.”
Anne Redwan, artist
The artwork stands against ruined buildings surrounded by rubble in an enclave where reconstruction has yet to begin nearly a year after a ceasefire ended major fighting.
Tour Removal and Stadium Bans Led by Venue Owners
The controversy began when Macklemore used his opening set on September 4 and September 5 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to chant Free Palestine,
criticize Israel’s military assault, and perform his protest song Hind’s Hall
while images of devastation in Gaza were projected on big screens.
Concert promoter Messina Touring Group notified venues that Macklemore would be removed after several major US venues notified tour promoters they would not allow him to perform on their stages, warning that venue bans could force an entire tour cancellation.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft defended his decision to bar Macklemore from Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, citing concerns over antisemitic rhetoric. In a statement, Kraft stated that Gillette Stadium provides a welcoming environment and that events must not provide a platform for hate speech, Variety reported.
“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.”
Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots
Kraft added that he would welcome an opportunity to sit down with Macklemore to discuss the facts.
Ed Sheeran Defends Tour Continuation as Supporting Acts Drop Out
Ed Sheeran defended his decision to continue the US tour following Macklemore’s removal, stating in an Instagram post that he was appalled by the conflict and that the suffering on both sides is a human tragedy. Sheeran explained that the decision to remove Macklemore came from promoters and venue owners after a week of talks yielded no resolution.
There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics — my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum,
Sheeran wrote in his statement.
- Finneas withdrew from the tour after Macklemore’s removal.
- Aaron Rowe withdrew from the tour after Macklemore’s removal.
- Beoga withdrew from the tour after Macklemore’s removal.
- Lukas Graham withdrew from the tour after Macklemore’s removal.
Million-Dollar Aid Pledges and Ticket Market Shifts
The fallout prompted major financial pledges for humanitarian aid in Gaza. Macklemore announced he would donate his $1 million in net earnings from the tour to six aid groups supporting Gaza.
Meanwhile, the controversy impacted ticket markets. Keith Pagello, founder of price-tracking company TicketData, noted that resale prices for Macklemore’s upcoming October concert at Red Rocks in Colorado increased. The get-in price [or the price for the cheapest available ticket] for that show is up 45% in the past 3 days, from $108 to $157,
Pagello said in a statement to CNBC, adding that that’s a surge we can say with confidence would not have happened absent this week’s events.
At the same time, resale prices for Sheeran’s remaining tour stops dipped across nine of ten venues, though TicketData noted that summer ticket prices normally decline by an average of 22% in the final two weeks before a show. However, Pagello observed a clear uptick in resale volume, with tickets selling at a faster pace since the controversy began, according to market statistics.
Wider Repercussions Across Aid and Public Discourse
Aid agency officials noted that the celebrity focus could draw attention to humanitarian needs in Gaza, where nearly all residents rely on aid for food, water, medical care, and shelter.
