05 / 10
Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour
Macklemore lost his opening-act slot after venues objected to his pro-Palestinian remarks onstage.
What happened
Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour after venues objected to his onstage pro-Palestinian comments at MetLife Stadium. Promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed the change, saying venues would not host concerts with him on the bill. Four other support acts later withdrew.
Numbers
- 7 venuesobjected to his appearance
- 8 of 10remaining dates he was booked
- 4 actssupporting acts later withdrew
Questions
- What did Macklemore say onstage?
- At MetLife Stadium, he told audiences “Free Palestine” and said people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank had not been forgotten.
- Why did the promoter act?
- The promoter stated that keeping Macklemore on the lineup would lead venues to cancel shows and affect hundreds of thousands of fans.
- Which other acts withdrew?
- Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas announced they would leave the remaining US dates as well after Macklemore’s removal.
- What wider dispute does this reflect?
- It reflects the wider argument over Israel’s Gaza campaign: some call it genocide, while Israel rejects that accusation.
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Support and opposition
Who supports this, and why
Venue supporters — Concert bills should not include political speeches that Jewish audience members regard as anti-Israel.