By Kanishka Singh
On Tuesday, Ed Sheeran told Reuters that the decision to remove Macklemore from his U.S. tour came from the tour’s promoter, not from him, and noted that his own approach to politics differs from Macklemore’s.
Macklemore was removed from the tour following his pro‑Palestinian remarks and a “Free Palestine” statement made during a September 4 show in New Jersey.
Later on Tuesday, several supporting acts announced they were withdrawing from Sheeran’s tour in response to Macklemore’s removal. Among them were Irish singer‑songwriter Aaron Rowe, the Irish group Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and musician Finneas, who expressed their support for Macklemore and solidarity with Palestinians.
Sheeran stated on Instagram, “Macklemore’s removal from the tour was the promoter’s decision, not mine.”
Messina Touring Group, which promotes the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, told Rolling Stone that venue owners for forthcoming U.S. dates informed the promoters they would not host shows featuring Macklemore.
Macklemore has long been a vocal supporter of Palestinian causes and has criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank.
In 2024 he released the protest song “Hind’s Hall,” dedicated to pro‑Palestinian demonstrators and to the memory of five‑year‑old Hind Rajab, a Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Sheeran said he admires Macklemore’s conviction to speak out for his beliefs, but added that his own preference is to keep his professional platform free of political statements. He noted that venues for upcoming tour dates have warned they would cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
Macklemore has garnered backing from pro‑Palestinian advocacy groups, fellow artists, and politicians, who argue that his comments highlight the plight and suffering of Palestinians.
Pro‑Israeli groups and Jewish American singer Pink have criticized him, contending that such remarks at a concert could jeopardize the safety of Jewish and pro‑Israeli attendees.
They also cited a 2014 costume in which Macklemore wore a black wig, beard, and a fake hooked nose, saying it evoked antisemitic stereotypes; Macklemore later apologized for the outfit.
On Monday, Macklemore denied that his concert remarks were antisemitic, arguing that equating criticism of Israel’s actions with antisemitism is an attempt to deflect accountability.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; additional reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen; editing by David Gaffen and Rod Nickel)
