{"id":72928,"date":"2026-09-16T17:22:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T17:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/16\/macklemore-draws-support-from-artists-amid-ed-sheeran-tour-controversy\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T17:22:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T17:22:34","slug":"macklemore-draws-support-from-artists-amid-ed-sheeran-tour-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/16\/macklemore-draws-support-from-artists-amid-ed-sheeran-tour-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Macklemore Draws Support From Artists Amid Ed Sheeran Tour Controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\tFor the two nights he made it through as an opener on Ed Sheeran<\/a>\u2018s Loop tour, Macklemore<\/a> used his position in front of an audience of thousands to advocate for Palestinians living in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 73,000 as Israeli military operations continue despite an alleged ceasefire, according to the Associated Press<\/a>. The rapper\u2019s \u201cFree Palestine\u201d call led to his removal from the tour,<\/a> a decision ultimately made by the venue owners who opposed his statements.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tWhile he no longer has the platform afforded to him by stadium stages, Macklemore has found support in fellow artists, activists, and public figures who have taken to social media to stand by him amid the controversy.<\/p>\n

\n\tKehlani embraced Macklemore from a position of having similarly experienced a loss of access and opportunity. \u201cA LOT of venues \/ owners are rallied together this way,\u201d she commented on his Instagram post addressing the removal. \u201cHonored to know you brother. Adore you. Behind you!\u201d In 2025, Kehlani was pulled from two separate performances, one at Cornell University <\/a>and the other at New York\u2019s SummerStage<\/a>, over her public support of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn response, she said at the time, \u201cIf you want to cancel me from opportunity, stand on it being because of your zionism,\u201d adding: \u201cI am anti-genocide, I am anti the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I\u2019m anti the bombing of innocent children, men, women. That\u2019s what I\u2019m anti.\u201d Her firm stance similarly drew support from fellow artists including Vic Mensa, who penned a lengthy open letter<\/a> in which he commended Kehlani for choosing \u201cto center humanity and courage as boldly and uncompromisingly as you have.\u201d \u00a0(Humanitarian groups and a United Nations commission have said Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide. Israel and its allies, including the United States, have denied this.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tThis has become a familiar occurrence. Last year, the Irish band Kneecap faced criticism for speaking in defense of the Palestinian people during their performance at Coachella. In an email to <\/em>Rolling Stone<\/em> <\/a>at the time, band member Mo Chara explained that Kneecap have spoken \u201cat every single gig since the band\u2019s formation, long before October 2023 as the oppression and brutal occupation of Palestine has been ongoing for 77 years.\u201d Beneath Macklemore\u2019s post, Kneecap commented, \u201cThey can never silence the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\tThe band also shared a photo captured backstage at a festival with the rapper. \u201cAll love and solidarity to Macklemore,\u201d they said. \u201cFree Palestine.\u201d Rapper Robby Vylan of the group Bob Vylan also commented, echoing his quote, \u201cThere is no thanks for a duty.\u201d Earlier this summer, the duo announced plans to sue the BBC<\/a> for defamation over the corporation\u2019s reaction to their 2025 Glastonbury performance<\/a>, during which they led crowds in chants<\/a> of \u201cFree, free Palestine\u201d and \u201cDeath, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces].\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThese artists have a much more limited audience reach than someone like Sheeran, who operates on a much more global scale of success. In his statement, Macklemore acknowledged this reach, writing, \u201cI didn\u2019t need 10 shows from Ed. In needed 2. Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say the words that somehow became too dangerous to say. Free Palestine. But if those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I\u2019ve ever been on.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tSheeran responded to the controversy<\/a> in a multi-slide Instagram post of his own. \u201cI am not complicit,\u201d he said. \u201cI have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn\u2019t mean I don\u2019t have them, and it doesn\u2019t mean I don\u2019t care.\u201d Sheeran, who boasts more than 47 million followers on the platform, disabled comments on the post. <\/p>\n

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\n\tFinneas, who was scheduled to open for Sheeran later this year on the South American leg of the Loop tour, has \u201cdecided to withdraw\u201d from the run. \u201cArtists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,\u201d Finneas wrote on Instagram<\/a>. \u201cI stand with Palestine and its people.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tOpener Aaron Rowe also dropped out. \u201cI don\u2019t take the decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this,\u201d Rowe said on Instagram. \u201cBut as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tLukas Graham, one of the only remaining openers left at the time, soon followed. \u201cMoney doesn\u2019t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody\u2019s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we\u2019re allowed to acknowledge,\u201d Graham wrote on Instagram. \u201cI love Ed, and I\u2019m grateful for everything we\u2019ve shared. That hasn\u2019t changed. But I can\u2019t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand. We\u2019re withdrawing from the remaining dates. I\u2019m sorry we won\u2019t be there. This is a difficult decision, but it\u2019s one I need to stand by.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tShortly after, Sheeran lost part of his backing band, which performs with him for a number of songs each night. \u201cWe have made the decision to depart as Ed Sheeran\u2019s band on the remaining US Loop tour, following the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies,\u201d the band Beoga wrote on Instagram<\/a>. \u201cWe are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us. We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be. We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAs members of the tour, Beoga were able to catch the two sets Macklemore played before being pulled from the bill. \u201cWe were there for Macklemore\u2019s performance and speech. We fully supported his message, so did most of the audience in Met Life Stadium which terrifies the lobbies. Go back and read the transcript if you\u2019re in doubt,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n

\n\tSheeran reiterated in his post that the decision to pull Macklemore from the Loop tour came down to the venue owners and promoters, including the Kraft Group\u2019s Robert Kraft<\/a>. \u201cI have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so,\u201d he said. \u201cI know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.\u201d In their statement, Boega encouraged readers to \u201cresearch how much Robert Kraft has done to fight the BDS movement. That will give you a sense of what we\u2019ve all been up against.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIn an Instagram Story, actress Rowan Blanchard reposted the slide from Macklemore\u2019s statement in which he acknowledged \u201cEd was in a fucked up position \u2026 His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had before.\u201d She added the comment, \u201cHow many people refuse to get past their public facing \u2018I don\u2019t take sides.’\u201d The indie pop band Muna also responded, writing on Instagram, \u201cEveryone involved in the move to silence free speech about a genocide is utterly pathetic. Solidarity with Macklemore.\u201d The model Gigi Hadid added, \u201cMacklemore we stand with you. Free Palestine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tPaloma Faith and Rachel Chinouriri, who both performed at the Together for Palestine benefit concert at Wembley Stadium last year, voiced their support in Macklemore\u2019s comments section. \u201cWhat a fantastic and selfless way to use your platform,\u201d Chinouriri wrote. Faith added, \u201cYou are a rare and important voice \u2026 thank you for existing\u2026 This is so articulate and so powerful. You are a hero.\u201d More remarks poured in from Gigi Perez, who said, \u201cTrue integrity. We stand with you and Palestine,\u201d as well as Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress, who commented with heart emojis.<\/p>\n

\n\tAn additional note came from the activist Greta Thunberg, who was detained by Israeli forces last summer after it halted a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship<\/a>. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz \u201cinstructed the IDF to ensure that the \u2018Madleen\u2019 flotilla does not reach Gaza,\u201d he said at the time<\/a>. \u201cFull solidarity and free Palestine,\u201d Thunberg commented on Macklemore\u2019s post. \u201cArtists\u2019 very active silence in the face of injustice and genocide will not be forgotten.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tMassive Attack criticized Sheeran for allowing Macklemore to be pushed out of the tour, even if it wasn\u2019t his direct decision. \u201cNo artist should tolerate the censorship of another artist, however many millions of dollars are in play,\u201d the band said. \u201cWe stand in solidarity with all artists risking their careers in defence of the rights of the Palestinian people, & against the illegal occupation, apartheid, war crimes & ongoing genocide perpetrated by the State of Israel.\u201d Earlier this year, two band members were banned from Singapore<\/a> after being detained and questioned for displaying the Palestinian flag onstage during a concert.<\/p>\n

\n\tKraft, in his own statement about deciding to bar Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, said it was based on his \u201crecent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran\u2019s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThe singer and songwriter Jensen McRae, who has opened for the likes of Muna, Hozier, and Noah Kahan, wrote about the controversy on Substack. \u201cWhile Macklemore has said and done some questionable things in the past, I have immense admiration for his commitment to apologizing, learning more, and doing better,\u201d she said. \u201cAs a Jew, I am baffled by the fact that the statement \u2018Free Palestine\u2019 continues to be controversial. It is routinely disappointing to see so many people prioritize social comfort over actual human lives. We have to be able to acknowledge government atrocities without viewing them as indictments of civilians. None of us are free til Palestine is free \u2013 til all victims of global imperialism are free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSinger Mary Lambert, who performed alongside Macklemore on the single \u201cSame Love,\u201d published a statement on Instagram<\/a>, in which she expressed being similarly baffled by the decision to remove Macklemore from the Loop tour. \u201cMacklemore has been loud and outspoken about this for years now,\u201d she said. \u201cIt should be embarassing to everyone involved in this decision. What Ben said on stage at that show is not radical.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI\u2019m not Jewish, and I don\u2019t know what religious persecution feels like, I don\u2019t know what antisemitism feels like, but I know Ben. He has contended and learned from past mistakes. And I also know that Jewish people are not a monolith. The Jewish people in my life advocate for and loudly support Palestine,\u201d Lambert continued. \u201cIf I put myself in the shoes of a Jewish person, hearing a phrase like \u2018from the river to the sea,\u2019 even though I don\u2019t personally hear that as being an alarming phrase because I haven\u2019t heard it used any other way, I can imagine it bringing up fear and discomfort. But discomfort and fear does not supercede that the highest number of child amputees per capita in the entire world is in Palestine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDrag artist and climate activist Pattie Gonia <\/a>noted in a separate Instagram post she has been \u201crejected from countless venues and i\u2019ve seen other political artists and politicians be denied to do events in their spaces because they stand up for basic human rights,\u201d adding, \u201cThis isn\u2019t just about artists \u2014 this is about venue owners who are united together to support zionism.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIn a longer statement, she said, \u201cEvery single fucking thing is political. You don\u2019t get to be neutral about a genocide. If your favorite artist isn\u2019t speaking up, that\u2019s an active choice. Every artist could do this. They choose not to. Silence by artists in the face of genocide and apartheid will not be forgotten. By the way, anti-zionism is not antisemitism. I love my jewish friends. And children are not a political opinion.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tIn his statement, Sheeran said he doesn\u2019t use his platform to discuss politics because \u201cmy audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore\u2019s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tThe children\u2019s YouTuber Ms. Rachel \u2014 who boasts more than 21 million subscribers and has amassed as many views as Sheeran has Spotify streams on his most popular songs (upwards of 17 billion) \u2014 has adamantly defended Palestinians living in Gaza regardless of the age of her audience. \u201cImagine looking back 20 years from now at yourself kicking someone off a tour because they spoke out during a genocide that has killed over 20,00 kids,\u201d she wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cPalestinian kids are still being killed, have had almost all of their homes, schools and hospitals bombed \u2013 live in tents without proper sanitation among rats \u2013 dying of easily treatable diseases \u2013 malnourished \u2013 highest number of child amputees in modern history \u2013 58,000 have lost one or both parents,\u201d Mr Rachel added. \u201cTHEY NEED OUR VOICES \u2013 their human rights are being violated and they are KIDS \u2013 also free Palestine \u2013 It\u2019s not wrong to say Palestinian kids should be able to grow up and Palestinian people should be able to be free. It\u2019s wrong to be silent during a genocide.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\tFormer Pink Floyd singer-songwriter Roger Waters voiced his frustration on Instagram<\/a>, opting to talk directly to the camera. \u201cThere\u2019s two kinds of people in this world. There\u2019s people who do the right thing, that rapper Macklemore would be one of those people, and there\u2019s people, many of them sadly little ff\u2026 \u2014 excuse me I nearly used the F-word then \u2014 pricks like you who do the wrong thing,\u201d he said, directly addressing Sheeran.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe band Garbage see the response to Macklemore being dropped from Sheeran\u2019s tour as \u201ca major turning point.\u201d \u201cThis is a clear and undeniable sign that the global consciousness has shifted. The normalisation of an apartheid state, and the attempts to sanitise or justify its actions, will no longer be tolerated,\u201d the band wrote on Instagram. \u201cEd, there is only one victim here: the Palestinian people.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n