Macklemore Says 'Taking Side Can Cost You' After Ed Sheeran Removes Him From 'Loop Tour'

Macklemore has broken his silence after being removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour, saying his decision to publicly support Palestine had professional consequences while insisting he would not remain silent.

The rapper was dropped from the remaining US dates after his appearances at MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September, where he wore a keffiyeh, spoke about the war in Gaza, repeatedly said 'Free Palestine' and performed Hind's Hall.

The performances triggered backlash, including criticism amplified by Pink, while several venues reportedly objected to Macklemore remaining on the tour.

Sheeran's promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that multiple venues would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore on the line-up. The confirmation came after Macklemore's performances at MetLife, where his political statements drew further attention.

Macklemore Speaks up About the Consequences of Taking a Side

In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Macklemore said he understood that publicly taking a position could affect an artist's career, arguing that the consequences can extend beyond immediate financial losses. 'Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I've lost all those things,' he wrote.

Macklemore argued that neutrality was impossible when there was such a clear imbalance between those he described as the oppressor and the oppressed, particularly when one side had access to bombs and extensive financial and military backing from the US.

The Thrift Shop singer also claimed that Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, contacted Sheeran after the MetLife performances.

According to Macklemore, Kraft told Sheeran he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium if Macklemore remained on the bill. Macklemore further claimed that other stadium owners had issued a similar ultimatum, while Sheeran's promoter separately confirmed that multiple venues would not host shows with Macklemore on the line-up.

Macklemore said he did not need all 10 scheduled appearances on the tour, but wanted two opportunities to perform before crowds of about 90,000 and say 'Free Palestine'. He argued that losing the stage ultimately amplified attention on Palestine, describing the tour as his most successful in terms of the conversation it generated.

Macklemore Addresses His 13-Year Friendship With Ed Sheeran

Despite the dispute, Macklemore stressed that his criticism was not intended to damage his relationship with Sheeran, whom he said he has known for 13 years.

According to him, the Thinking Out Loud hitmaker, with his 'typical apolitical stance', was in a 'f***ed up position'.

Macklemore said he and Sheeran discussed what happened after Sheeran's concert, and that their conversation was 'rooted in love and respect' but ended in 'a place of fundamental disagreement'.

Macklemore said Sheeran told him that his words 'Free Palestine' and the image of the Palestinian flag had offended many.

Macklemore described Sheeran as a friend and brother, recalling years of late nights, studio sessions and shared stages. He added that the disagreement had not erased their friendship and expressed hope that they could continue discussing Palestine, neutrality and the consequences of remaining publicly apolitical.

How Macklemore's Metlife Performance Sparked Backlash

At Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium concerts in New Jersey on 4 and 5 September, Macklemore used his opening set to deliver a pro-Palestinian message, wearing a keffiyeh and repeatedly calling for 'Free Palestine'. He also performed Hind's Hall, his protest song addressing the war in Gaza, and spoke about humanitarian suffering.

Macklemore said he had been 'scared' to perform the song but wanted to use the platform to show support for Palestinians and tell those affected that they had not been forgotten. The controversy intensified after Pink reshared a third-party social media post criticising Macklemore's presence on the tour.

Her decision to amplify the post drew significant backlash online, with some arguing that Sheeran should not be held responsible for Macklemore's political views, while others defended the rapper's decision to use his platform.

Pink later faced further discussion after sharing messages on Instagram that addressed her critics without directly naming Macklemore or Sheeran.

The posts included remarks about not allowing critics to ruin one's day and clarifying her intentions behind the initial share.

Macklemore's statement has added another layer to the dispute, placing his professional fallout from the tour alongside a much broader argument over political expression, venue pressure and whether artists can remain neutral during a conflict.