Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's US tour after 'Free Palestine' speech; all other openers quit

Two words spoken between songs at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey have unravelled Ed Sheeran's North American tour, cost rapper Macklemore eight opening slots, and prompted every other supporting act to walk off the bill in protest — leaving one of the world's best-selling artists defending his silence while a legal and cultural argument about who controls the stadium microphone plays out in public.

On 4 September, Macklemore paused his set at MetLife and told the crowd: "A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place, was so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine." He added that he wanted those words to reach "all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank" so people there would know "we have not forgotten about them." He also performed his protest anthem "Hind's Hall" — named after a building occupied by Columbia University protesters, who renamed it in honor of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza — accompanied by images of Gaza's destruction.

At a second MetLife show on 5 September, Macklemore addressed Jewish audience members directly: "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality."

Those remarks set off an immediate institutional response. The Israeli American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore's removal. Then Robert Kraft — the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, a prominent supporter of Israel, and the owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts where Sheeran was scheduled to perform — announced he would bar Macklemore from his venue.

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, Gillette Stadium

Kraft added that his decision was "not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf," but argued that Macklemore was "only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas." Kraft did not respond to questions about whether his reference to a "broader history" of antisemitism concerned a 2014 incident in which Macklemore publicly apologized for wearing a hooked false nose, wig and fake beard — which he called a "random costume" but which observers widely read as an antisemitic caricature — or something else, according to CNN.

Macklemore said Kraft had done more than block one venue: he accused Kraft of having "rallied some of the other stadium owners" and delivered Sheeran an ultimatum — keep Macklemore on the tour and lose the venues, or drop him. Kraft did not address that claim publicly.

On Monday, Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the US leg of Sheeran's tour, confirmed Macklemore's removal from the eight remaining planned dates. Hours later, Macklemore posted a lengthy statement reiterating his support for Palestine, describing Sheeran's position as "his typical apolitical stance" that "was being challenged in a way it had never been before."

By Tuesday, the cascade had widened. Finneas — producer and brother of Billie Eilish — the Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, the Irish band Beoga, and the Danish band Lukas Graham all withdrew from their opening slots on the tour, according to CNN, citing solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people.

I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.— Aaron Rowe, Irish musician, former opening act

Rowe, who described Sheeran as a friend who had "changed my life," drew on Irish history in explaining his decision: "As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonisation, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland."

Sheeran responded Tuesday afternoon with a lengthy Instagram post. He said he had agreed to let Macklemore join the tour after the rapper asked to participate, and that he allowed Macklemore to perform a set list of his own choosing, "as with all my support acts." He placed the decision to remove Macklemore firmly with the promoter and venue owners.

After Macklemore's performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting. Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine.— Ed Sheeran, singer

I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.— Ed Sheeran, singer

Sheeran said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and described "the suffering and pain caused on both sides" as "a human tragedy," but defended his choice not to take a public political position: "I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean that I don't care." He also said he 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," and concluded: "I am not complicit."

The legal picture is clear but contested in its implications. Privately owned stadiums are not bound by the First Amendment, meaning owners like Kraft have the legal right to choose who performs in their venues, according to Lee Rowland, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, speaking to CNN. But Rowland warned that the episode "illustrates the immense power that money has over our public discourse" and predicted it would have a chilling effect: "We are undoubtedly going to see widespread self-censorship, so that artists ensure their content is uncontroversial and anodyne enough not to offend a promoter or a stadium owner."

Several of the remaining venues on Sheeran's US tour are publicly owned, including AT&T Stadium, which is owned by the city of Arlington, Texas. Those venues did not respond to requests for comment, according to CNN. AT&T Stadium is also separately scheduled to host a sold-out show by Ye, who made a series of antisemitic comments he now attributes to a brain injury and untreated bipolar disorder.

The conflict has exposed a fault line that runs through the entire live music industry: when a stadium owner's political convictions collide with an artist's speech, it is the promoter — and ultimately the headliner — who is left to absorb the consequences, whether they choose silence or solidarity.

Why it matters — The episode tests whether stadium owners' political and financial interests can effectively determine what artists say on stage — and whether silence from a headliner amounts to complicity.

Sources differ on Whether Macklemore's remarks constituted antisemitism: Yes — Kraft cited 'a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery' and said the remarks crossed a line (cnn.com) vs No — Macklemore explicitly addressed Jewish audience members, saying criticism of Israel 'in no way is a criticism of you' (theguardian.com)

Sources differ on Who made the decision to remove Macklemore: Sheeran says it was the promoter's and venues' decision, not his (cnn.com) vs Macklemore implies Kraft's ultimatum to Sheeran was the driving force (cnn.com)

Reported by nytimes.com, theguardian.com, reuters.com, washingtonpost.com, cnn.com, billboard.com