Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has become the center of a dispute involving Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian statements, venue restrictions and the withdrawal of several supporting acts. The controversy began after Macklemore spoke about Palestine during his opening performances in New Jersey and has since expanded into a public disagreement involving Sheeran, tour promoter Messina Touring Group and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
The controversy began on Sept. 4, when Macklemore performed at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. While introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” he told the audience that one of the reasons he wanted to participate in the tour was to use a stadium platform to say “Free Palestine.” He also incorporated imagery connected to the conflict into his performance.
Macklemore continued making similar statements during his second MetLife performance on Sept. 5. Following the shows, the Israeli American Council launched a petition calling for him to be removed from Sheeran’s tour, arguing that his performance had turned the concert into a political platform. Macklemore responded publicly by defending his position and saying that supporting equal treatment for people should not be controversial.
On Sept. 11, Pink entered the discussion after sharing a lengthy statement criticizing Macklemore’s comments. The singer, who is Jewish, said Palestinians deserve a future that respects their humanity while also objecting to what she described as Macklemore’s use of imagery and messaging that she found offensive to Jewish people. Her comments added another prominent voice to the growing dispute.
The situation escalated on Sept. 14, when Macklemore announced that he had been removed from the remaining U.S. dates of the Loop Tour. He said he had held several conversations with Sheeran and claimed that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, had objected to his participation and had contacted other stadium owners. Macklemore described Sheeran as a longtime friend and said the two had disagreed over the public response to his political statements.
Kraft subsequently confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 25 and 26. In his statement, Kraft cited Macklemore’s recent performances and what he characterized as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Kraft also said the decision was not intended to deny Palestinians humanitarian support or the right to advocate for them, while saying that such advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community.
Messina Touring Group, the promoter handling the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour, also confirmed Macklemore’s removal. The company said venues on upcoming dates had notified promoters that they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. The venues identified in reports included Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Sheeran addressed the controversy on Sept. 15. He said he was deeply concerned about the Israel-Palestine conflict but explained that he had chosen not to publicly discuss his personal political views. Sheeran said Macklemore had been given freedom to select his set list, but said the decision to remove him was ultimately made by the promoter and venues. He also confirmed that he had been involved in discussions with promoters and representatives from different sides of the issue before the decision was finalized.
The fallout continued when the other scheduled supporting performers withdrew from the tour. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga all announced that they would no longer participate in the remaining dates. Their departures left Sheeran’s upcoming shows without the previously announced supporting lineup.
On Sept. 16, Macklemore announced that he would donate $1 million in net earnings from his Loop Tour appearances to six organizations providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. He also publicly challenged Kraft to match the donation. Kraft later said that Sheeran had already approached him about matching a $2 million humanitarian donation before Macklemore made his public request.
The Loop Tour is scheduled to resume Sept. 19 in Philadelphia. The latest developments have left the tour continuing without Macklemore and without several of its previously announced supporting acts, while Sheeran’s team works through the remaining North American dates.
