MACKLEMORE, who was scheduled to perform on Ed Sheeran’s ongoing US tour, was removed from the schedule for the remaining concerts because of his support for Palestine.
The tour’s organizer announced that some stadium authorities had refused to host shows featuring Macklemore. The company said keeping the artist on the tour would increase the possibility of canceling all the concerts and could affect hundreds of thousands of fans.
Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight concerts
Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the 10 remaining concerts in the US leg. He was expected to return to the stage in Philadelphia on September 19 as part of the tour.
In a social media post, the rapper alleged that the decision was driven by Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots American football team and Gillette Stadium. Macklemore said Ed Sheeran had told him that Kraft opposed his performance and claimed that some stadium owners had also said they would not host the concerts if he remained on the tour.
Macklemore also said that the phrase “Free Palestine” and the Palestinian flag had upset some people. He criticized the fact that this reaction was stronger than the reaction to the children who had died in Gaza.
Petition launched to remove him from the tour
The Israeli-American Council launched a petition on September 7 calling for Macklemore to be removed from the opening slot at the tour’s remaining concerts.
The Grammy Award-winning artist began his music career in the 2000s and became known for the song “Thrift Shop.” He published his first message criticizing Israel’s attacks on Gaza on November 7, 2023.
Macklemore reiterated his support for Palestine during a concert in Germany on June 2, 2024. On September 20, 2024, he released the song “Hind’s Hall 2” with Palestinian artists in support of Gaza and announced that all proceeds would be donated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
