Rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after delivering a speech in support of Palestine during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Sheeran's tour dates were scheduled to include Macklemore as an opening act, but the decision was reversed after his remarks sparked backlash from public figures and organizations. The speech led to calls for his removal from prominent supporters like Pink and the Israeli American Council, with Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft calling it deeply offensive to Jewish communities.
Macklemore’s departure from the tour prompted a wave of support from other musicians and bands who joined him in standing up for his actions, according to NME. Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey expressed solidarity with Macklemore, saying that touring artists become like family and should stand by the people they bring on the road. Casey said Sheeran's failure to stand with a fellow tour partner did not sit right with him.
He added that many artists from his youth stood up for what they believed in, and that is something he still respects about them. Other musicians including FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga also exited the tour to show support for Macklemore. Former Sheeran opening acts BIIRD and Myles Smith also voiced their backing of Macklemore’s stance on Palestine.
Roger Waters criticized Sheeran for not supporting his fellow performer, calling him a 'little prick' while praising Macklemore for standing up for justice. Massive Attack also weighed in, saying that neutrality during such a crisis is not possible when children are being killed. Macklemore pledged his entire $1 million earnings from the tour to organizations supporting Palestinians. Robert Kraft later pledged $2 million for humanitarian aid after saying Sheeran had asked him to match Sheeran's own $2 million commitment.
Aaron Rowe, another former opener for Sheeran, defended the singer on social media, saying the real issue was with Robert Kraft and not Sheeran himself, according to a report from TheWrap. Rowe argued that the decision to remove Macklemore was made hastily due to pressure from all sides, and he believed Sheeran did not make the call alone. He also emphasized that the focus should be on those who tried to silence free speech rather than on the artist who expressed it.
Rowe said he could not continue touring with Sheeran if he allowed such actions to go unchallenged, especially in light of historical injustices faced by Irish people. He stated that supporting those speaking out against genocide was more important than maintaining normal tour operations. Sheeran initially said Macklemore's removal was the promoter's decision and not his own. He later addressed the controversy during his Sept. 19 concert in Philadelphia, apologized for how the situation had been handled and called the situation in Gaza "catastrophic and unjustifiable."
The tour now has no opening acts booked after all the artists pulled out in solidarity with Macklemore.