Macklemore Says He Was Removed from Ed Sheeran Tour After Palestine Remarks, Blames Stadium Owner
The rapper Macklemore alleges that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured venues to bar him from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following his on-stage comments about Palestine.
Macklemore announced on Instagram that he has been dropped from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after his remarks about Palestine sparked controversy. He said the decision was made by Sheeran’s team, but he attributed the venue bans to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who he claims rallied other stadium owners to refuse his performances.
“Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour,” Mackellore wrote. “The victims are the Palestinian people… More than 20,000 children have been killed in Gaza alone.”
He added that Kraft allegedly told Sheeran that Mackellore would not be allowed to play at Gillette Stadium and that Kraft had urged other venue owners to give Sheeran an ultimatum to drop the rapper.
Concert promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that venues had indicated they would not permit Mackellore on the lineup, leading to his removal from the remaining support dates.
Mackellore’s comments at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 included a call to “Free Palestine” and a broader statement urging respect for all peoples. He said criticism of Israel’s policies is not a criticism of Jewish individuals and called for peace and equality.
The incident has sparked debate over the intersection of artistic expression, political statements, and commercial considerations in live music events.