Ed Sheeran says promoter, not him, removed Macklemore from US tour

Washington, United States. Ed Sheeran said Macklemore’s removal from the US leg of his Loop Tour was a decision by the tour promoter after venues said they would not host shows with the rapper on the lineup. Several opening acts and Sheeran’s touring band subsequently said they were leaving the tour in support of Macklemore and Palestinians.

Promoter and venue concerns

Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s US tour following pro-Palestinian comments and “Free Palestine” remarks during a September 4 concert in New Jersey.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said in an Instagram post.

Messina Touring Group, promoter of the US leg of the Loop Tour, told Rolling Stone that owners of venues scheduled for upcoming dates informed promoters they would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore in the lineup.

Sheeran said venues had warned they would cancel the shows if Macklemore remained on the tour.

Artists leave tour

Sheeran’s opening acts, including Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham and singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, said on Tuesday that they were leaving the tour.

Beoga, Sheeran’s touring band and a traditional Irish group, also said it had decided to leave. The acts voiced support for Macklemore and solidarity with Palestinians.

Political positions

Macklemore has long expressed support for Palestinians and criticised Israel’s assault on Gaza and occupation of the West Bank.

In 2024, he released “Hind’s Hall”, a protest song in solidarity with pro-Palestinian demonstrators and in memory of Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli troops in Gaza.

Sheeran said he respected Macklemore’s “strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes”, but said his own approach was not to use his “professional platform for politics.”

Macklemore said on Monday that billionaire Robert Kraft had rallied support among some stadium owners who warned they would not allow Sheeran to perform at their venues if Macklemore stayed on the tour.

Sheeran said on Tuesday that he had spoken to Kraft, who had said a day earlier that he felt “a responsibility to stand up” when a line was crossed.