Ed Sheeran Drops Macklemore From US Tour Over Palestine Comments

Macklemore has been dropped from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after saying “Free Palestine” on stage. The Grammy-winning rapper made the remarks during his first tour appearance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4. He told the crowd that he wanted people in Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them.” The comments prompted a petition from the Israeli American Council calling for Macklemore to be removed from the tour lineup. Promoter Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone that venues would not allow shows with Macklemore on the lineup, and a full tour cancellation was not an option. “After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates,” the promoter announced in their statement. Sheeran has not publicly addressed the decision. The tour’s remaining US dates are set to continue without Macklemore from September 19.