Macklemore Removed from Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium Shows After Anti-Israel Outburst
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The rapper was taken off Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after stadium owners acted to prevent further divisive and inflammatory political statements.
Macklemore was asked to leave the second night of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium after he once again shouted 'Free Palestine' from the stage, repeating his anti-Israel rhetoric. Concert promoters had assured several NFL team owners that the rapper would refrain from further political outbursts following his earlier disruptive behavior at the September 4 show. The owners, including New England Patriots chairman Robert Kraft and other franchise leaders, made it clear that the tour would be barred from their venues if Macklemore continued to inject divisive and potentially hateful messaging into the concerts, describing his remarks as hate speech.
During the first MetLife performance, the 43-year-old rapper, wearing a keffiyeh—a symbol often associated with anti-Israel sentiment—delivered a monologue calling for 'freedom' for Palestine, Lebanon, Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and other regions, and then performed a song referencing recent campus protests, which have themselves been criticized for radical and disruptive tactics. The following night, he repeated the chant and cited the Columbia University encampment as inspiration, further politicizing the event.
Promoter Messina Touring Group reportedly faced mounting pressure from the owners of venues such as Lucas Oil Stadium, AT&T Stadium, and Raymond James Stadium to remove Macklemore or risk cancellation of Sheeran's concerts. Kraft later told Sheeran in a phone call that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium, firmly characterizing his remarks as hate speech, not protected speech.
Sheeran clarified that his contract with Macklemore was with the promoter, not himself, and that he had attempted to mediate between the parties. He added that he would not abandon fans or the touring crew. Kraft subsequently said he would welcome a meeting with the rapper and announced a $2 million donation to Palestinian relief, while Macklemore pledged $1 million of his tour earnings to the same cause.
Sheeran's tour will continue with scheduled shows in Philadelphia and at Gillette Stadium later in September, now free from further disruptions by Macklemore's political grandstanding.