Macklemore Dropped from Ed Sheeran Tour | Robert Kraft Backlash, Gillette Stadium Shows & Controversy

What began with Macklemore shouting “Free Palestine” during Ed Sheeran’s September 5 show at MetLife Stadium has now disrupted the rest of the U.S. leg of the Loop Tour. After several venues refused to host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, the rapper was removed as an opening act. Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, confirmed that he opposed Macklemore performing at the venue over what he described as a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

The dispute has continued to grow. Sheeran has now said that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision, while Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Finneas have withdrawn from the tour in solidarity. Macklemore has also pledged $1 million in tour earnings to Palestinian aid organizations, turning the controversy into a much broader dispute over political speech, venue power, antisemitism, and the ability of major artists to remain neutral.

Why Macklemore Was Removed From Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour

Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after multiple venues told promoter Messina Touring Group that they would not host the concerts with him on the lineup. The affected dates included Sheeran’s September 25 and 26 shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The decision followed Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian remarks during the September 5 show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where he wore a keffiyeh, performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” and shouted “Free Palestine.”

The situation escalated when Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, confirmed that he opposed Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium. Kraft said Macklemore’s recent actions, the material shown during the MetLife Stadium performances, and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery crossed the line for the venue.

Macklemore alleged that Kraft encouraged other stadium owners to take the same position, effectively leaving the tour with a choice between removing him and risking the cancellation of several concerts. Kraft confirmed his opposition to Macklemore appearing at Gillette Stadium but has not publicly confirmed Macklemore’s claim that he personally rallied the other venue owners.

“Crossed the Line”: Robert Kraft’s Stance on Macklemore

Robert Kraft confirmed that the Kraft Group would not allow Macklemore to perform at Gillette Stadium. He said the decision was based not simply on the rapper’s support for Palestinians but on material shown during the MetLife performances and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Kraft said advocacy for Palestinians should not diminish the suffering of innocent civilians or come at the expense of Jewish communities. He also argued that Macklemore’s presentation ignored Hamas’s responsibility for suffering experienced by both Palestinians and Israelis. Macklemore has denied being antisemitic and maintains that criticism of Israel’s government and military actions should not be equated with hatred of Jewish people.

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Despite their differences, Kraft said he was willing to meet with Macklemore and discuss ways to promote peace. Macklemore later pledged $1 million in tour earnings to six organizations supporting Palestinians and challenged Kraft to match the contribution. Kraft subsequently said he would donate $2 million, explaining that Sheeran had already asked him to match Sheeran’s own $2 million humanitarian donation before Macklemore issued his public challenge.

The Onstage Speeches: How Macklemore’s Viral Statements Sparked Venue Backlash

Macklemore’s remarks drew criticism from pro-Israel organizations and some concertgoers. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for his removal, and the controversy soon reached the venues scheduled to host Sheeran’s remaining U.S. concerts. Messina Touring Group later said multiple venues told the promoter they would not allow the shows to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup.

Videos and reports from the shows captured sharply different reactions, with some concertgoers supporting Macklemore’s message and others criticizing or rejecting it.

Pink also entered the debate, saying that although she did not believe Macklemore should be fired or silenced, parts of his performance frightened her and people she knows in the Jewish community. Her response reflected the wider disagreement over whether Macklemore’s presentation amounted to legitimate political advocacy or crossed into harmful rhetoric.

Ed Sheeran Responds as Four Supporting Acts Leave the Tour

Ed Sheeran has now addressed Macklemore’s removal, saying the tour promoter made the decision, not him. Sheeran said Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter and that he had spent the week trying to “build bridges” between the parties involved. He also said he wanted his concerts to remain a politically neutral space that brought audiences together.

Macklemore said he and Sheeran had several difficult conversations after the controversy began. Although the two disagreed over the situation, Macklemore described Sheeran as a close friend and said their relationship would not disappear because of one painful dispute.

The controversy then widened when Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Finneas announced that they were withdrawing from Sheeran’s tour. The artists expressed solidarity with Macklemore or opposition to what they viewed as the suppression of political expression. Their departures left the tour without its previously announced supporting lineup and created uncertainty over who, if anyone, will open the remaining shows.

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The U.S. leg remains scheduled to resume on September 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The remaining U.S. stadium dates run through November 7, when Sheeran is scheduled to perform at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, although the opening lineup is now uncertain.

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