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Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine stage performances

15 September 2026 · Source balance: Centre

Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour after delivering pro-Palestine speeches during two MetLife Stadium concerts on September 4 and 5. During his opening sets, Macklemore repeatedly called for 'Free Palestine,' displayed Gaza footage, performed his protest song 'Hind's Hall,' and wore a keffiyeh. Multiple venues indicated they would not allow the tour to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft stated he barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium based on what he described as antisemitic rhetoric and imagery offensive to the Jewish community. Macklemore claims Kraft rallied other stadium owners to pressure Sheeran. Jewish organizations including the Israeli American Council and Anti-Defamation League called for his removal, while Muslim advocacy groups like CAIR opposed the decision. Macklemore maintains he was exercising his right to political expression and is not the victim in this situation.

Key facts

  • Macklemore performed at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5, 2026, making pro-Palestine statements as part of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour
  • Tour promoter Messina Touring Group stated venues notified them they would not allow concerts with Macklemore on the lineup
  • Robert Kraft said he barred Macklemore from Gillette Stadium based on antisemitic rhetoric and imagery offensive to the Jewish community
  • Macklemore claims Kraft rallied other stadium owners to pressure Ed Sheeran to remove him from the tour
  • Jewish organizations including the Israeli American Council and ADL called for Macklemore's removal; CAIR opposed the decision
  • Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of ten remaining shows on the tour

How different outlets framed it

Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets focus on free speech concerns and question wealthy individuals' power to suppress political dissent. They highlight Macklemore's years of advocacy and note that he distinguished between criticizing Israel's military actions and antisemitism, explicitly addressing Jewish audience members at his second show.

Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning sources frame Macklemore's actions as inappropriate politicization of a concert and characterize his Gaza imagery and rhetoric as one-sided political grandstanding. They emphasize Robert Kraft's role as appropriate venue management protecting audiences from what they term antisemitic messaging.

Limits of this briefing

A key factual dispute remains unresolved: whether venue operators independently refused to host Macklemore, or whether Robert Kraft orchestrated a coordinated boycott among stadium owners. Kraft did not directly address the 'rallying' claim in his public statement. Ed Sheeran has provided limited public comment on his role in the decision.

Sources

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