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On Monday, Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour, a decision that triggered significant backlash. In response, several of Sheeran’s other supporting acts chose to withdraw from the tour in protest of Macklemore’s removal. Sheeran clarified that the decision was made by his promoters, Messina Touring Group, and not by himself.
According to Messina Touring Group, Macklemore was dropped because certain venues, including Kraft’s Gillette Stadium, threatened to cancel concerts if he remained part of the lineup. This ultimatum meant that keeping Macklemore on the tour would have led to cancellations. Sheeran, who had performed at Kraft’s wedding in 2022, has faced criticism for seemingly accepting this decision without public objection. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Sheeran expressed respect for Macklemore’s conviction, saying, “I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes.” While Sheeran mentioned that he avoids using his platform for political statements, he said this “doesn’t mean I don’t care” and that he supports causes in his own way. He also emphasized his desire to avoid disappointing fans and the crew by cancelling the tour, which is scheduled to continue in Philadelphia.
Some voices, including artist Billy Bragg, have urged Sheeran to cancel the tour altogether as a form of protest. However, stopping the tour could expose Sheeran and his promoters to substantial financial liabilities, such as losing venue deposits and having to refund tickets. Sheeran is still able to perform as a solo act, even if the setlist needs adjustment due to the absence of Beoga, the Irish folk band that accompanied him on several songs.
In a statement shared on behalf of Robert Kraft by Gillette Stadium, Kraft expressed that he has supported initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for Palestinians and fostering collaboration between young Palestinians and Israelis through business and job creation. Kraft said, “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” and affirmed his belief that “all lives are worth protecting.” Though Kraft did not confirm whether he had influenced other stadium owners to ban Macklemore, he accused the rapper of having “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric,” an allegation that Macklemore denies. Kraft also criticized Macklemore for allegedly selective presentation of information and ignoring Hamas’s actions.
Among those who left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore were Finneas (Billie Eilish’s brother), Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Beoga. These artists contended that removing Macklemore was a suppression of free speech. On Wednesday, Macklemore announced that he would donate all of his $1 million net earnings from Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six Palestinian organizations, aiming “to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people.” He further commented on social media, stating, “This is a manmade injustice, and I believe it requires immediate political change.
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