Macklemore has been removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after his onstage comments supporting Palestine sparked controversy.
Messina Touring Group, the promoter for Sheeran’s U.S. tour, told Rolling Stone on Sept. 14 that venues had informed the tour team they would not allow upcoming concerts featuring Macklemore.
The promoter said keeping him on the lineup could have resulted in cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.
Macklemore had been scheduled to appear at eight of Sheeran’s remaining 10 US shows, including dates at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The decision follows Macklemore’s speech during Sheeran’s Sept. 4 concert at MetLife Stadium. He urged the audience to say “Free Palestine” and said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
He then performed “Hind’s Hall” while Gaza-related images appeared on stadium screens. The remarks prompted opposition from the Israeli/American Council, which launched a petition seeking his removal.
Singer Pink also reshared criticism of Macklemore’s appearance and later defended her position.
Macklemore has continued to distinguish criticism of Israel from criticism of Jewish people. He also previously released “Hind’s Hall,” a protest song focused on the war and Palestinian solidarity.
Sheeran’s next US show is scheduled for Sept. 19 in Philadelphia, where Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe are listed as opening acts.
