Macklemore Ousted from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour After Pro‑Palestine Speech

When Macklemore took the stage at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4, he didn’t just drop a beat—he dropped a message. In a brief Instagram‑posted clip, the Seattle‑born rapper shouted, “Free Palestine,” hoping the words would echo from New Jersey all the way to Gaza.

The crowd’s reaction was mixed. Some cheered, some muttered, and a few walked out. The moment, however, didn’t stay confined to the stadium. It quickly snowballed across social media, catching the attention of pop star Pink, who shared a post from the controversial group StopAntisemitism accusing Macklemore of “anti‑Israel propaganda.”

Pink later tried to smooth things over, posting that while she didn’t write every word in the shared message, she believed “Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity.” She also reiterated that Hamas is a terrorist organization and emphasized her UNICEF work protecting children on both sides of the conflict.

What happened next? Within days, Messina Touring Group—who handles logistics for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour—issued a terse statement to Rolling Stone. They said venues were refusing to host shows with Macklemore on the bill, and that the tour would be jeopardized if he remained. The result: Macklemore was pulled from all remaining support dates.

In a lengthy Instagram response, Macklemore pointed the finger not at Pink or Sheeran, but at a single individual: Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium. According to the rapper, Ed Sheeran told him that Kraft had called the singer, saying the stadium would not allow Macklemore to perform and that Kraft had convinced other venue owners to do the same.

“Kraft gave an ultimatum,” Macklemore wrote. “If I stayed on the tour, we wouldn’t be able to play at his stadiums.” He added that the pressure was applied across the country, threatening to cancel shows that could affect “hundreds of thousands of fans.”

Ed Sheeran, who has generally kept his political views under wraps, reportedly found himself in a “fucked up position,” according to Macklemore’s statement. The rapper said Sheeran told him the phrase “Free Palestine” and the sight of a Palestinian flag were hurting many people she’d spoken with, forcing Sheeran to choose between the cause and a “public‑facing, apolitical” brand.

Robert Kraft confirmed to TMZ that he objected to Macklemore’s appearance. “Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech,” he said. He added that his focus over the past decade has been combating antisemitism and that he feels a responsibility to intervene when he believes a line has been crossed.

The fallout highlights a growing tension in the live‑music world: artists using their platforms for political statements and promoters trying to keep massive stadiums “neutral.” Fans are split, too—some applaud Macklemore for speaking his mind, while others feel his comments turn concerts into political battlegrounds.

As for the Loop Tour, it will continue without its “Thrift Shop” opening act, leaving many ticket‑holders wondering whether they’ll see the full Sheeran experience they paid for. The controversy also raises a question that’s likely to pop up again: How far can a performer go before promoters pull the plug?

Only time will tell if future tours will feature more overt political messaging—or if the industry will quietly steer artists back to safer, non‑controversial ground.