By: Scarlett Jorgensen
September 21, 2026
What began as a few words from singer-songwriter Macklemore on an Ed Sheeran tour stage has turned into a controversy involving artists, stadium owners, promoters and the question of how much freedom performers have once they step onto a stage.
Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sept. 4 and 5. Within days, Sheeran released his own statement, several supporting acts withdrew from the tour and Macklemore pledged $1 million in tour earnings to Palestinian organizations.
The controversy began when Macklemore called for a free Palestine during his set and performed his song “Hind’s Hall,” a song named after Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old girl who was killed in Gaza in 2024. The song was inspired in part by the student protests at Columbia University. The performance drew criticism from several public figures and the Israeli-American Council, which called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour.
Following the call for his removal, the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft contacted Sheeran and tour promoter Messina Touring Group following Macklemore’s performances. Kraft said Macklemore’s comments crossed a line and cited what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. The Wall Street Journal reported that stadium owners were unwilling to host Sheeran’s tour while Macklemore remained on the lineup.
On Sept. 14, Messina Touring Group released an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone, stating that Macklemore would no longer perform at the remaining U.S. dates, saying venues had indicated they would not allow concerts to take place with him on the lineup.
Macklemore responded the same day on social media, saying that his friendship with Sheeran did not change what he believed was his responsibility to speak about the situation in Gaza. He also said that Sheeran was placed in a difficult position and described the decision to remove him from the tour as an attempt to silence his message.
The following day, Sheeran released his own statement. He said he was “appalled” by the conflict between Israel and Palestine and described the suffering on both sides as a human tragedy. Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and venues after he attempted to find a solution.
Sheeran also said his concerts were intended to be places of “unity, joy, escapism, love” and that he did not use his professional platform as a political forum.
The controversy did not end with Macklemore’s departure.
Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Finneas, who were all a part of the opening lineup for the tour, announced that they would no longer perform on the remaining tour dates. Beoga, the band that had served as Sheeran’s touring band, also withdrew. Each artist cited concerns about the treatment of Macklemore and the ability of artists to speak about the conflict.
On Sept. 16, Macklemore announced that he would donate his $1 million in net earnings from the tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians and challenged Kraft to match the donation. Kraft later addressed the donation and said he would contribute $2 million to support humanitarian efforts.
The tour continued Sept. 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Sheeran addressed the controversy from the stage. He apologized to fans, acknowledging that he had made mistakes and said he was concerned about venues influencing what performers can say.
The fallout has left the tour looking very different from where it began, but the larger question remains: What happens when artists, promoters, venues and audiences disagree about what belongs on a stage?
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