2026-09-17 · contested story

Macklemore’s Removal From Ed Sheeran’s Tour Sparks criticism

On September 14, 2026, Seattle rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour after saying 'Free Palestine' and performing his protest song 'Hind's Hall' during two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. Macklemore said Ed Sheeran told him that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, had rallied other stadium owners into an ultimatum: drop Macklemore or lose access to their venues. Sheeran responded that the removal 'was the promoter's decision, it was not mine,' and declared 'I am not complicit.' Within hours, all of Sheeran's remaining supporting acts — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and his backing band Beoga — withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.

How each side frames it

left
"he said he could not stand by and allow billionaires to abuse their position of power to silence the rightful voices and those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children"
"people are literally being dropped, they're being canceled from global tours because of standing on the stage and saying what so many millions of other people around the world are supporting. They are literally being canceled and being silenced."
"the reason has turned a pop tour into a referendum on free speech"
"there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed"
"contends it's 'the most successful tour I've ever been on.'"
center
"That has gotten a bit muddy. Initially, Macklemore said that Kraft and venue owners banded together to force Sheeran's hand. Sheeran himself said in his statement that it was the venue owners who called for Macklemore to be dropped... Kraft's statement said the threat to pull the shows began with him."
"Israel rejects allegations of genocide. It says its troops conduct self-defence operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in accordance with international law."
"A growing chorus of organizations and experts say Israel's wartime actions in Gaza amount to genocide - an accusation Israel vehemently rejects."
""I am not complicit," Sheeran wrote in a statement on Instagram Tuesday, saying that Macklemore leaving the tour "was the promoter's decision, it was not mine."
"The 35-year-old singer said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine," describing the suffering on both sides as "a human tragedy.""
right
"Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's 'Loop Tour' after pro-Palestine comments"
"Ed Sheeran responds to backlash over Macklemore removal: 'I am not complicit'"
"Macklemore's long history of controversy from Grammy wins to 'Free Palestine' concert remarks"

What each side left out

The right left out — covered by the The Guardian US & NBC 10 Boston & USA Today & Associated Press
The left left out — covered by the BBC News & Yahoo/Cosmopolitan
The center left out — covered by the The Damage Report / Ireland AM & USA Today
The right left out — covered by the Yahoo/Cosmopolitan & USA Today & The Seattle Times

What's actually true?

[verified] Macklemore said 'Free Palestine' and performed 'Hind's Hall' with Gaza footage during his September 4 MetLife Stadium set opening for Ed Sheeran.
[verified] Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, said he would not allow Macklemore to perform there and cited 'a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.'
[verified] Ed Sheeran said Macklemore's removal was the promoter's decision, not his, and stated 'I am not complicit.'
[verified] Supporting acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and backing band Beoga all withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
[verified] The Israeli American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore's removal, describing his set as advancing 'a one-sided political agenda.'
[verified] Pink reshared/amplified criticism of Macklemore and later issued a statement saying she was not asking for any artist to be silenced.
[contested] Macklemore was scheduled to open at either eight or ten of Sheeran's remaining US shows before his removal.
[verified] Robert Kraft matched Ed Sheeran's donation to Palestinian aid, and Macklemore pledged to donate $1 million of his tour earnings.

The narrative clash

Who made the decision to remove Macklemore
Left: Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.
Right: Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision; it was not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.
Whether Macklemore's remarks constituted antisemitism
Left: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.
Right: Based on Macklemore's recent actions... and a broader history of antisemetic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation... would cross that line.

24 sources analyzed

Billboard The Guardian US Newsweek Washington Examiner Mitú Los Angeles Times BBC News Fox News The Damage Report Global News The Jerusalem Post Sky News Associated Press USA Today Yahoo! Search NBC 10 Boston ABC 7 Los Angeles The Hollywood Reporter Clio Messenger Business Insider Yahoo! Search Deadline First Post The Seattle Times

Perspectivity reads the coverage — not just who published it.

Read the full interactive analysis →