Venues block Macklemore from remaining Ed Sheeran tour dates
Macklemore was removed from eight remaining tour dates after making pro-Palestine onstage statements.
Macklemore has been removed from the rest of Ed Sheeran's U.S. stadium tour after venues refused to host him.
The rapper made several onstage statements in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and called for a free Palestine. Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, said venues gave an ultimatum: drop Macklemore or cancel the tour.
Cancelling would affect hundreds of thousands of fans. Macklemore claims billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, launched a pressure campaign.
Macklemore says Kraft persuaded other stadium owners to join an ultimatum to Sheeran. Kraft's representatives did not comment.
Macklemore had performed two shows earlier in the tour and played his protest song Hind's Hall about pro-Palestine demonstrators.
- 8 of 10
- Remaining tour dates
- September 19
- Tour resumption date
- Robert Kraft
- Stadium owner
- Hundreds of thousands of fans
- Potential impact
Why it mattersThe removal raises questions about which artists can perform at stadiums and whether political speech during concerts carries career consequences.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though the controversy has generated global debate about artists' freedom of expression.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
