Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour lineup earlier this week following comments he made about Gaza during the tour’s opening performances. The decision came after reported warnings about the rapper’s outspoken stance on the devastation facing Palestinians.
Sheeran distances himself from decision
Ed Sheeran subsequently stated he was “not complicit” in the removal, attributing the decision to the tour promoter rather than himself. “I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” the singer said, without directly sharing them. Reports indicate there was an understanding that Macklemore would refrain from sharing similar thoughts after mentioning Palestine during the first night at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
NFL owners reportedly complained
According to The Wall Street Journal, several NFL team owners complained about Macklemore’s pro-Palestine comments after the initial New Jersey performance. Sources allege assurances were given that the “Thrift Shop” rapper would remove all such references from his second-night performance. However, Macklemore retained the references and continued to say “Free Palestine” onstage. The outlet did not specify who made this assurance to the NFL owners.
Robert Kraft’s involvement
On Monday, September 14, Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft — whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium — had contacted Sheeran and stated they would not host the tour unless Macklemore was removed. In a previous statement, Kraft cited a “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community” as the basis for the decision.
Macklemore donates tour earnings
Macklemore has been vocal about Palestine long before joining the Loop Tour as a supporting act. Following his removal, he announced via Instagram that he would donate his entire net earnings from the tour — $1 million (approximately £747,328) — to six organizations working directly with Palestinian people.
“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom.
“I will be donating the entire 1 million (dollars) of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations working directly to support the Palestinian people.”
Macklemore also invited Kraft to match the donations, adding:
“whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”
He continued:
“Aid alone cannot address the conditions that make it necessary. This is a manmade injustice and I believe it requires immediate political change.
“Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free. This is where my focus will remain.”
Supporting acts and band withdraw
Since Macklemore’s removal, all of Sheeran’s remaining Loop Tour supporting acts — including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham — as well as his backing band Beoga, have dropped out of the remaining dates. Sheeran’s next scheduled performance is Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Graham and Rowe were originally set to open. The tour has 17 dates remaining across North and South America, concluding December 11 in Mexico City.
LADbible has contacted representatives for both Macklemore and Sheeran for comment.
