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Macklemore–Ed Sheeran tour controversy
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In September 2026, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and his team removed American rapper Macklemore as a supporting act from Sheeran's Loop Tour after Macklemore's onstage "free Palestine" statements during two performances in New Jersey. The removal came after pressure from venue owners, including American pro-Israel businessman Robert Kraft. After this decision, all the remaining opening acts for the tour—including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham, as well as Irish band Beoga—withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people.
Background
Macklemore is a supporter of Palestinian liberation, and had expressed his pro-Palestinian views years prior to the controversy,[1] including signing Artists4Ceasefire[2] and criticizing Israel for committing genocide in Gaza amidst the Gaza war that started following the October 7 attacks in 2023.[3][4] In May 2024, he released "Hind's Hall", a protest song in support of the April 2024 Gaza solidarity protests at Columbia University and elsewhere, with all proceeds donated towards UNRWA.[5]
On August 24, 2026, Macklemore was confirmed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour.[6][better source needed] In October 2022 Sheeran had performed at Kraft's wedding.[7]
Macklemore speeches
On September 4, 2026, while opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore made a speech where he declared "Free Palestine". The statement was followed by a performance of "Hind's Hall", his pro-Palestinian song inspired by the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University and the "Hinds Hall" occupation of Hamilton Hall, renamed by protestors in honor of Hind Rajab, who was killed alongside her members of her family by Israel Defense Forces soldiers in 2024.[9][10][11] In his speech, he said, "The people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them. I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon. Free Cuba to the Congo to Sudan to Iran."[12]
After this, representatives for multiple NFL team and stadium owners contacted Sheeran's promoter Messina Touring Group with concerns about hate speech, specifically the phrase "Free Palestine" and the song "Hind's Hall"; they were told in response that Macklemore would not mention Palestine on stage again.[13]
On the second night, Macklemore addressed "Jewish brothers and sisters in the audience" and said, "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you," he said, adding that he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.[14][13]
Pressure to remove Macklemore
On September 6, the Israeli-American Council petitioned for Ed Sheeran to remove Macklemore from his tour, stating on social media: "Ed Sheeran, do not allow your stage to be used to divide people or spread one-sided political propaganda!". The following day, Macklemore shared a video of his performance at the stadium with the caption: "Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial."[15] The American singer Pink reshared a post from the pro-Israel group StopAntisemitism criticizing Macklemore for his speech. Following backlash from this repost, Pink responded on September 11 that she was "standing up for [her] own people".[16] The Combat Antisemitism Movement also pressured for his removal and cited a 2014 controversy in which he dressed up as a character with a prosthetic nose, which critics described as a Jewish caricature,[17][18] Macklemore had apologized for the incident and denied antisemitic intent.[19][17]
Patriots owner Robert Kraft called Sheeran and told him during a 40-minute conversation that he, along with fellow NFL team owners Arthur Blank, David Tepper, and Jeffrey Lurie, considered Macklemore's comments to be hate speech and would cancel shows at their venues were Macklemore to stay on the tour.[13]
Removal of Macklemore
On September 14, 2026, tour promoter Messina announced that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining U.S. dates, stating that several venues had refused to allow concerts to proceed with him on the lineup.[20]
Statements
Macklemore
On September 14, Macklemore announced his removal from the tour in an Instagram post nearly 1,000 words long.[14] He said it came after a week of "difficult conversations" with Sheeran that ended "in a place of fundamental disagreement."[14] In his statement, Macklemore said: "Before I get into it, I want to say something that should be obvious. In this moment I think it matters. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families. The victims are the Palestinian people."[21][22] Macklemore said that Sheeran had told him Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, had barred him from performing there and persuaded other stadium owners to issue a similar ultimatum.[23] Macklemore criticized Sheeran for not taking a stance on Gaza, writing: "Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I've lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."[14]
On September 16, Macklemore announced that he would donate $1 million, his entire net earnings from Sheeran's tour, to six organizations supporting Palestinians: the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Anera, and the UNRWA USA National Committee.[24][25] He said he wanted to "bring the conversation back where it belongs," writing, "Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protection. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any life on this earth."[24] Macklemore challenged Kraft to match the donation.[24]
In his statement, Macklemore said he wanted to "center the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in," as well as "the organizers and activists who have paid real costs for standing with Palestine," whose risk he said was "of a far different order than mine."[26][25] He described donating money as "one of the least costly forms of solidarity" available to him, saying he was doing so because the recipient organizations were "doing the work while much of the world debates it."[26] Macklemore added that "aid alone cannot address the conditions that make it necessary," calling the situation in Gaza and the West Bank "a manmade injustice" requiring "immediate political change."[26][25] He also referenced the death of 15-year-old Muhammad al-Zinati, whom he said was killed in an Israeli strike on September 15 while attempting to help an injured aid worker.[25][27]
The Washington Times reported that Kraft has donated tens of millions of dollars to organizations combating antisemitism, including more than $20 million to the "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" campaign.[28][26] The outlet also noted that, separate from Macklemore's claim that Kraft organized a pressure campaign among venue owners, several venues independently notified the tour's promoter that they would not host a show with Macklemore on the bill, and that Kraft had not addressed whether he had personally organized that pressure.[28]
Robert Kraft
Hours after Macklemore's statement, Robert Kraft released a statement in which he spoke of his long fight against antisemitism, agreed with Macklemore on the suffering of the Palestinians, evoked the responsibility of Hamas, invited Macklemore to meet, and said they had "peace for all people" as a common goal.[12][29][30]
In his statement Kraft said: "Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed."[30][12] Kraft added that "This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf," and that, "Their pain and loss is real."[31] Kraft argued that support for Palestinians "should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally … designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike."[31] Kraft added, "I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same — peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate."[29]
According to Adam Reilly, writing for WGBH, "Kraft did not dispute Macklemore’s claims" and "seemed to allude to Macklemore’s 2014 performance in a costume that was widely regarded as antisemitic in explaining Kraft’s actions."[29] Kraft's statement did not address whether or not he had lobbied other stadium owners.[12][32]
Ed Sheeran
In a September 15 post on Instagram, Sheeran said, "I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated."[33] He added that Macklemore's removal was "the promoter's decision, it was not mine," referring to Messina Touring Group.[34][35][36] Sheeran added: "I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed".[36]
Sheeran said, "I am not complicit. 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 I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way."[37]
Kaivan Shroff, writing for Zeteo, called Sheeran's remarks "tepid and defensive" and said that he was not staying out of politics but rather "letting a pro-Israel billionaire choose his politics for him."[37]
Response
Other opening acts
Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham, all the remaining opening acts for the tour, as well as Irish band Beoga, who had joined as his backing band for a segment of the show, announced on 15 September 2026 that they were dropping out of the remaining tour dates in solidarity.[38] Several acts who had opened for Sheeran prior to Macklemore's opening at MetLife Stadium, including Myles Smith, Amble and BIIRD, have come out with support for Macklemore and the people of Palestine.[39]
Palestine advocacy groups
In a statement to Al Jazeera, Radhika Sainath, litigation director of Palestine Legal, said: "If Sheeran had fought back instead of giving in to censorship and bullying, not only would he have retained the moral high ground with his millions of fans – and been on the right side of history – he would likely have a strong case for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages for whatever losses he incurred over Kraft’s threatened cancellation."[12]
Journalists
BBC journalist Mark Savage described it as the biggest controversy of Sheeran's career. Music journalist Jeffrey Ingold, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, commented on the situation, stating that the apparent acceptance of Sheeran of the decision to remove Macklemore felt like "cowardice", while adding: "I think it will change the way people look at him and see him from this point forward. He has said he's not complicit, but he actually is incredibly complicit in what's happening [on this tour]".[40]
For Philissa Cramer in Haaretz, the controversy "reveals something new about the state of play," noting that "[Kraft] meets Macklemore on pro-Palestinian terms."[31] Cramer sees the ordeal as evidence of how "American Jewish supporters of Israel are incorporating, rather than rejecting, the growing legitimacy of Palestinian identification even while remaining fearful about their own place in the discourse."[31]
Manya Brachear Pashman, managing editor of The Forward, published a story comparing the cancellation of Macklemore's participation to the continued sold-out performances of Kanye West—who made a song called "Heil Hitler"—asking: "is hating Jews more acceptable than hating Israel?"[41]
Writing in The Guardian, Laura Snapes stated: "What might initially appear as a sign of solidarity – not inconveniencing fans, not leaving other artists and crew out of pocket – has been upended by a group of artists who understand that losing financial and professional opportunities and creating inconvenience is precisely what it takes to show backbone and stand against genocide and billionaires crushing free speech."[42]
Public figures
Colin Kaepernick, a former National Football League player known for kneeling during the US national anthem in protest of systemic racism in the US, said NFL owners "are openly colluding" against Macklemore.[43]
Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, which is home to one of the largest Arab communities in the United States, invited Macklemore to perform at a concert sponsored by the city.[44]
Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League wrote: "Glad to see Macklemore off Ed Sheeran's tour ... For years, Macklemore has pushed antisemitic tropes and demonized Israel and Israelis. Now he certainly has the [First Amendment] right to speak out and express his views, but demonizing Jews and Israelis shouldn't be rewarded."[45]