Macklemore Is Off Ed Sheeran's Tour Because a Stadium Owner Said No, Not Because the Promoter Did

Macklemore says Ed Sheeran told him the owner of one venue had called and demanded he be dropped, and that Sheeran's team removed him from the remaining US dates. The Seattle rapper behind 'Thrift Shop' joined the Loop Tour this month. Robert Kraft confirmed on Monday that he barred Macklemore from Gillette Stadium. On the claim that other stadium owners joined him, Kraft has said nothing at all.

The row began with two nights at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September. Macklemore wore a keffiyeh, called for a free Palestine and performed 'Hind's Hall' as footage from Gaza played. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition within days. Messina Touring Group, which promotes the US leg, blames venues that refused to host the shows with him on the bill, while Macklemore blames Sheeran's team.

What Each Side Says Happened

Macklemore wrote that Kraft rang Sheeran before the Gillette dates to say the venue was closed to the support act, amid the row over Pink. He then alleged that 'Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners' to issue a joint ultimatum. Sheeran was in an impossible position, the post said, but would not drop his neutral line. Kraft answered within hours and said the Gillette decision was his.

Kraft pointed to Macklemore's recent actions, what was shown on stage in New Jersey, and 'a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery'. He left the claim about other owners unanswered. Messina Touring Group named nobody, saying venues 'will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup'. The choice was to cancel the tour, and the removal came after talks with stakeholders.

What Is Confirmed and What Is Not

Two of the affected shows were due to take place at Gillette Stadium on 25 and 26 September. Messina's wording covers all remaining US dates, not just those two shows. Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe will still perform.

Sheeran's representatives did not respond to reporters on Monday, and the singer has remained silent since the New Jersey incident. That leaves the central allegation based largely on Macklemore's account of a private phone call. Kraft has confirmed the part involving his own building but has not addressed the rest of the allegation.

The Objections, and the Answer to Them

The council argued that a concert is not a protest and that the imagery was one-sided. Pink, who reposted a call to drop Macklemore, later focused her objection on the footage rather than his words. 'You don't get to decide that for us,' she wrote.

Macklemore has answered that criticism directly and more than once. From the MetLife stage, he told Jewish audience members that criticism of Israel was not criticism of them. He has made the same argument since October 2023 and released 'Hind's Hall' in May 2024, with streaming proceeds going to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

One point is clear from the accounts that have emerged. Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife, and ten days later, organisers removed him from the bill. The people involved still dispute who made that decision.