Macklemore Pulled From Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour After 'Free Palestine' Speech
Macklemore has been removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after a pro-Palestine speech at a New Jersey concert.
American rapper Macklemore will no longer perform on the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour, following a stage speech in which he voiced support for Palestinians.
Macklemore appeared during Sheeran's September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he urged the crowd to say "Free Palestine." He told the audience that a major reason he joined the tour was the chance to make that statement in stadiums, adding that he wanted the words heard clearly by people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Clips of the remarks spread widely on social media, drawing reactions from fans and figures in the music community.
Messina Touring Group, which promotes the US leg of the tour, said venues on the upcoming schedule had told the company they would not permit concerts to go ahead with Macklemore on the bill. The promoter said that stance would have forced the cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans, and that after talks with stakeholders the rapper would not appear on the remaining support dates.
Macklemore had been due to perform at eight of the ten remaining shows on the stadium tour, which resumes on September 19 in Philadelphia. His scheduled stops included Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia; and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Sheeran addressed the matter in a statement on social media, saying venues on the upcoming dates had communicated that they would pull the shows if Macklemore remained as a supporting act. He said he was told the position rested on how part of the message was conveyed during the performance rather than on everything that was said.
The singer added that Macklemore's exit was the promoter's decision and not his own, noting that the rapper's contract was with the promoter. Sheeran said he would not let down fans who had made plans or abandon the touring crew and other support acts who depend on the tour for work.
Other artists tied to the Loop Tour have also withdrawn from the remaining dates. Opening acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, along with Sheeran's backing band, have said they will no longer take part.