Macklemore Blames Robert Kraft for Ed Sheeran Tour Ouster After Sept. 4 Palestine Speech
Updated
Updated · Variety · Sep 14
Macklemore Blames Robert Kraft for Ed Sheeran Tour Ouster After Sept. 4 Palestine Speech
3 articles · Updated · Variety · Sep 14
Summary
Macklemore said Ed Sheeran removed him from the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates after venue owners refused to host him following his “Free Palestine” remarks.
In an Instagram post, he said Sheeran told him Robert Kraft barred him from Gillette Stadium and rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum: keep Macklemore and lose venues.
Messina Touring Group confirmed venues on the remaining tour stops would not allow Macklemore on the lineup and said keeping him risked canceling shows for hundreds of thousands of fans.
The dispute traces to Macklemore’s Sept. 4 MetLife Stadium set, where he called to “Free Palestine” before performing “Hind’s Hall” and said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people.
Macklemore said the fallout cost him money, sponsorships and access, but argued the real victims are Palestinians, citing more than 20,000 children killed in Gaza.