Macklemore Gets Celebrity Support After Ed Sheeran Tour Exit Over 'Free Palestine' Remarks

Macklemore has received public support from Paloma Faith, Kehlani, Garbage and others after being removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour on 14 September, following pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The dispute has broadened into a debate over political expression at concerts, accusations of antisemitism and the war in Gaza.

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, performed as Sheeran's opening act at MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September. He told the audience that a 'big part' of the reason he wanted to join the tour was to say 'Free Palestine' from stadium stages across the United States.

He also performed Hind's Hall, his 2024 protest song about the war in Gaza and the Palestinian cause.

The Israeli-American Council then launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the remaining dates. Pink also amplified criticism of the rapper before later clarifying that she did not want him silenced and expressing support for Palestinian rights while defending the concerns of the Jewish community.

The controversy quickly turned an opening set into a wider debate over political speech in commercial entertainment.

Macklemore's Tour Exit Follows Venue Objections

Messina Touring Group, promoter of the US leg of Sheeran's tour, confirmed that Macklemore would not perform on the remaining support dates.

The company said venues had told it they would not allow concerts with Macklemore on the line-up, adding that this could have resulted in the tour being cancelled and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.

That explanation established the immediate business pressure, but it did not settle who made the final decision.

Macklemore said Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, would not allow him to perform at the Massachusetts venue. Macklemore also alleged that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners to take the same position.

Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette but did not publicly confirm the broader allegation.

Gillette is due to host Sheeran on 25 and 26 September. Kraft said the decision followed Macklemore's recent actions, material shown during his New Jersey performances and what Kraft described as a 'broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery' that he said had been 'deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community'.

Kraft said the decision was not intended to diminish Palestinian suffering or deny people the right to advocate for Palestinians.

'Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive,' he said, adding that he would welcome a meeting with Macklemore.

Celebrity Support For Macklemore Grows

Macklemore responded in a lengthy Instagram statement, saying he and Sheeran had held 'difficult conversations' rooted in 'love and respect for one another' but had reached a 'fundamental disagreement'.

During his New Jersey performance, Macklemore said, 'To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you.'

He said his message was about 'peace', 'love' and equal dignity for all people.

Paloma Faith called him 'a rare and important voice' and 'a hero'. Kehlani, MUNA and Garbage also defended him. Garbage said nothing Macklemore had said was 'violent or hateful or remotely radical', while MUNA described the decision as an attempt to silence speech about Gaza.

Ms Rachel also criticised Sheeran, saying he had an opportunity to show that people should not be punished for supporting Palestine but 'caved' instead.

That support has not erased earlier criticism of Macklemore. He apologised in 2014 after wearing a costume that critics said resembled an antisemitic Jewish caricature. He said the costume was not intended to mock Jewish people.

The Anti-Defamation League welcomed his apology and said it accepted his explanation that he had no ill intent.

The current dispute reflects competing views about Macklemore's remarks, the boundaries of political expression at concerts and concerns about antisemitism.

Macklemore says his remarks were a call for Palestinian freedom and equal treatment. Kraft has argued that advocacy for Palestinians should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or ignore Hamas and antisemitism.

Sheeran has not publicly explained his position on Macklemore's removal. The tour is scheduled to resume in Philadelphia on 19 September without Macklemore.