Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour after multiple venue operators informed promoters they would bar the rapper from performing following his onstage statements supporting Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, according to an exclusive statement provided to Rolling Stone by the Messina Touring Group.
Tour Promoter Confirms Macklemore Removal Due to Venue Objections
The Messina Touring Group, which promotes the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s stadium tour, stated that several venues refused to host a concert featuring Macklemore on the bill. According to the promoter, proceeding with the original lineup would have triggered widespread tour cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.
Macklemore was slated to appear at eight of the ten remaining shows on the U.S. itinerary, which resumes on Sept. 19 in Philadelphia. Venues that reportedly objected to the rapper’s inclusion span major U.S. stadiums, including Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, according to Rolling Stone.
Did you know? Macklemore joined the Loop Tour earlier in September, performing two consecutive shows at MetLife Stadium outside New York City on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5, before the venue backlash materialized.
Free Palestine Statements Spark Widespread Backlash and Petitions
The removal follows outspoken remarks made by Macklemore during his Sept. 4 set at MetLife Stadium, where he told the audience he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten. According to Variety, the rapper performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall”—named after a six-year-old killed by the military—while images of devastation in Gaza were displayed on stadium screens.
The performance drew immediate criticism from pro-Israel groups. StopAntisemitism accused the artist of ambushing concertgoers with anti-Israel propaganda via social media, a post amplified by singer Pink. Pink later clarified her stance on Instagram, stating she did not seek the artist’s termination or silencing, but expressed fear as a Jewish mother over the rhetoric used during a global concert platform. Simultaneously, the Israeli American Council launched a petition demanding Sheeran remove the opening act, arguing that a stadium tour should not serve as an activist platform for a one-sided political agenda.
During his second appearance at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore addressed Jewish audience members directly, stating that criticism of Israel or apartheid does not constitute a criticism of Jewish individuals and emphasizing a message of peace and equality for all human beings.
First Amendment Questions and Public Venue Policies
While Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough are privately owned, the majority of the objecting venues are owned and operated by government entities, raising potential First Amendment questions regarding public entities restricting speech based on viewpoint, as reported by Rolling Stone.
Legal precedents surrounding public venue restrictions gained attention earlier this summer when Raymond James Stadium in Tampa booked Kanye West for two concerts. Despite public backlash over West’s past antisemitic remarks, the shows proceeded after the promoter included a contractual clause barring cancellation based on past public statements. Local legal experts noted at the time that because the stadium is owned by Hillsborough County and operated by the Tampa Sports Authority, a cancellation based on speech could have violated the First Amendment.
When contacted regarding the upcoming Sheeran concert, a representative for the Tampa Sports Authority confirmed to Rolling Stone that Macklemore will not perform at the venue, while verifying that the concert itself will go forward as scheduled on Nov. 7.
Tour Continuation and Remaining Support Acts
Ed Sheeran’s North American stadium trek will continue through the fall without Macklemore on the bill. Support for the remaining dates will be provided by Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, according to tour schedules. Following the conclusion of the U.S. dates in November, the Loop Tour is scheduled to transition to a South American leg across November and December.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour?
According to the Messina Touring Group, several venues on the U.S. tour notified promoters that they would not allow a concert featuring Macklemore on the lineup, prompting the promoter to remove him to prevent total tour cancellation.
Which venues objected to Macklemore?
Venues that reportedly objected include Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, Bank of America Stadium, AT&T Stadium, and Raymond James Stadium.
Who is replacing Macklemore on the tour?
Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe will continue to provide support for Ed Sheeran during the remainder of the Loop Tour.
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