Macklemore, who drew attention with messages supporting Palestine, was removed from the remaining concerts on Ed Sheeran's ongoing U.S. tour.
The tour organizer said some stadium operators had refused to host events featuring Macklemore. The company said keeping the artist on the lineup would increase the risk of canceling all the concerts and could affect hundreds of thousands of fans.
He was scheduled to perform at 8 of 10 U.S. concerts
Macklemore was scheduled to perform at 8 of the 10 concerts remaining on the U.S. leg of the tour. The tour was expected to resume in Philadelphia on September 19.
In a social media post, the rapper claimed that American football team the New England Patriots and Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium, were behind the decision. Macklemore said Ed Sheeran told him that Kraft opposed his performing and claimed that some stadium owners had said they would not host the concerts if he remained on the tour.
Macklemore also said that the phrase “freedom for Palestine” and the Palestinian flag had upset some people. The artist criticized the fact that this reaction was stronger than reactions to the deaths of children in Gaza.
Petition launched to remove him from the tour
The Israeli-American Council launched a petition on September 7 calling for Macklemore to be removed from the opening act lineup for the tour's remaining concerts.
The Grammy-winning artist began his music career in the 2000s and became known for the song “Thrift Shop.” Macklemore published his first message criticizing Israel's attacks on Gaza on November 7, 2023.
The artist reiterated his support for Palestine at a concert in Germany on June 2, 2024. On September 20, 2024, Macklemore released the song “Hind's Hall 2” with Palestinian artists in support of Gaza and announced that all proceeds from the song would be donated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
