Overview
- Messina Touring Group confirmed Monday that Macklemore will not perform the remaining U.S. dates after multiple stadiums told the promoter they would not allow shows with him on the bill.
- The dispute began when Macklemore during his Sept. 4 MetLife Stadium sets chanted “Free Palestine,” performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” and showed footage of Gaza on stadium screens.
- Macklemore has said Ed Sheeran told him Robert Kraft called and rallied other stadium owners to give an ultimatum, but news outlets note that claim is reported by Macklemore and has not been independently verified.
- Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft issued a statement saying Macklemore’s recent actions and a broader history of offensive rhetoric informed the decision to bar him while Macklemore denies being antisemitic and defends his protest framing.
- Promoters say the episode forced a business choice to avoid canceled shows and could set a precedent for how venue owners, promoters and artists police political speech on large stadium tours.