American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after expressing support for Palestinians during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ed Sheeran later clarified that the decision was made by the promoter and venues, rather than by him personally.
Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, addressed the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank during his performance at MetLife Stadium on September 4, 2026. During the appearance, he expressed support for Palestinians and called for “Free Palestine.”
Following the performance, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the tour. Some venues also raised objections to his participation in the remaining dates.
According to reports, Messina Touring Group, the promoter involved with the tour, said that certain venues were unwilling to host Macklemore as part of the remaining shows.
Ed Sheeran subsequently addressed the controversy publicly. Sheeran stated that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and was not his personal decision. He said he had attempted to find a solution with the promoter and venues.
Macklemore subsequently responded to his removal from the tour, saying that he did not need ten shows and instead valued the two opportunities he had already received to perform in front of a large audience and deliver his message.
The controversy also resulted in other supporting artists withdrawing from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Those artists have been reported to include FINNEAS, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga.
Macklemore has continued to defend his decision to speak publicly about Palestine. The incident has generated wider discussion about artists expressing political and humanitarian views during live performances and the potential consequences for artists participating in major concert tours.
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