Overview
- Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after he chanted “Free Palestine” and showed Gaza footage during his Sept. 4 and 5 opening sets, a decision the tour promoter announced after venues said they would not host shows with him on the bill.
- Robert Kraft and Gillette Stadium publicly said they barred Macklemore from performing at their dates, citing what Kraft described as past antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that made his participation unacceptable.
- In protest of Macklemore’s ouster, all other scheduled opening acts and Sheeran’s backing band withdrew from the U.S. leg, leaving the tour operational but uncertain about its supporting lineup.
- Macklemore announced he will donate the $1 million he earned from the tour to six Palestinian aid groups and invited Kraft to match the gift, and Kraft and Sheeran have since signaled plans to contribute funds and pursue dialogue.
- The episode has highlighted the practical power of private venues and promoters to shape speech onstage, raised questions about where political protest crosses into hate speech, and could prompt more artists to self-censor or to take public stands when stadium owners intervene.