Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran tour after Palestine statements

Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after calling for Palestinian freedom at two New Jersey concerts on September 4-5, 2026.

Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, said the comments were deeply offensive. He confirmed that he put pressure on Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour. Macklemore had been due to perform at Gillette Stadium on September 25-26, but was barred from those shows. He also claimed Kraft worked to block him from other venues on the tour.

Kraft said Macklemore had a history of anti-Semitic language and imagery. Macklemore disagreed strongly. He said supporting Palestinian rights should not be controversial, and that losing his place on the tour was a price he was willing to pay. Ed Sheeran released a statement about the situation on September 15.