Ed Sheeran says tour promoter dropped Macklemore after stadium owners raised objections

Ed Sheeran said on Instagram that the decision to remove Macklemore from his upcoming tour was taken by the tour promoter, not by the singer himself. He said the promoter was informed that multiple venues would not allow a concert with Macklemore on the lineup, and that the promoter consequently pulled the rapper from the schedule.

Macklemore, who performed a pro-Palestine statement during a show at MetLife Stadium, alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft called Sheeran and threatened to cancel the tour stop if Macklemore remained on the bill. Sheeran said he spoke with venues and Kraft at length to try to “build a bridge,” but the promoter ultimately decided to drop the rapper.

Sheeran added that he does not use his concerts as a political forum, noting that his audiences come from diverse backgrounds. He expressed respect for Macklemore and said his personal views on the Israel-Gaza conflict do not influence his professional decisions.

The promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that the cancellations would affect “hundreds of thousands of fans.” Macklemore announced his removal on Instagram, where the post quickly garnered extensive public reaction and support from various artists, public officials and activists.

Robert Kraft responded that the decision was based on Macklemore’s recent on-stage actions and a broader history of statements he described as offensive to the Jewish community, and he offered to discuss the facts with the rapper.

Several public figures, including U.S. representatives and the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, voiced criticism of the removal and called for solidarity with the rapper. The situation has sparked a broader debate about the role of artists in political discourse and the influence of venue owners on concert programming.