Macklemore removed from remaining Ed Sheeran US tour dates after Palestine statements

Rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining support dates on Ed Sheeran's US leg of his Loop Tour after multiple venues told the tour's promoter they would not allow him to perform.

Messina Touring Group, the tour's promoter, said venue management teams had notified it that Macklemore would not be permitted to appear. Stakeholders decided to remove him from his eight remaining scheduled support dates to avoid the potential cancellation of the wider tour, says Rolling Stone.

The decision follows Macklemore's performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 September and 5 September, where he used the stage to advocate for Palestinians.

During the shows, Macklemore called for a "Free Palestine", expressed solidarity with people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, displayed images depicting destruction in Gaza and performed his protest song "Hind's Hall".

Macklemore has said that one of the main reasons he joined the tour was to use stadium stages to amplify calls for a "Free Palestine" and let people in Gaza and the West Bank know they had not been forgotten.

His comments prompted criticism from pro-Israel groups. StopAntisemitism accused him of ambushing concertgoers with "anti-Israel propaganda", while the Israeli American Council launched a petition calling on Sheeran to remove him from the tour and questioning the use of major concert platforms for political messages.

Singer Pink shared StopAntisemitism's post before clarifying that she was not calling for Macklemore to be silenced or fired. She said his rhetoric nevertheless made her feel scared as a Jewish mother.

Macklemore addressed Jewish members of the audience during his second MetLife performance, saying that criticism of Israel, apartheid or genocide was not criticism of Jewish people. He said his message was rooted in peace, equality and human dignity.

The decision to prevent Macklemore from performing at some venues could also raise questions about free speech protections, particularly at venues owned or operated by government entities.

Bank of America Stadium and Gillette Stadium, two venues affected by the decision, are privately owned. Other remaining venues, including Lincoln Financial Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, AT&T Stadium and Raymond James Stadium, are owned or operated by government entities.

Legal experts have said that barring a performer from government-owned venues because of political speech can raise First Amendment concerns. A similar issue arose at Raymond James Stadium involving rapper Kanye West, with legal experts saying that cancelling his performance because of past statements would likely have violated the First Amendment.

Sheeran's North American tour is scheduled to continue through 7 November, when it concludes in Tampa, Florida. The tour will continue without Macklemore, with Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe among the opening acts.