Macklemore (real name Benjamin Haggerty) spoke out after being removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's tour in the United States. He stated that this controversy should not distract from the suffering of the people in Gaza. Macklemore wrote in a lengthy statement on Instagram: 'The guilty are the people of Palestine. The men, women, and children who have been killed, starved, displaced, and forced to endure unimaginable violence.'
Details of Macklemore's Removal
Macklemore had difficult conversations with Ed Sheeran over the past week, ultimately leading to the decision to remove him from the tour. He was scheduled to perform as Ed Sheeran's supporting act at eight of the remaining ten concerts on this tour. In this statement, Macklemore said: 'Ed Sheeran and his team decided to remove me from the Loop tour. But before getting into details, I want to say something that should be clear. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim.'
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Reactions to Macklemore's Statements
This controversy began after Macklemore's performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4. During this performance, he spoke about Gaza and the occupied West Bank, mentioning the phrase 'Freedom for Palestine.' He also referred to Jewish members of the audience, stating: 'Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, and opposition to genocide is in no way a criticism of you.' These remarks drew significant backlash, including from activist groups like StopAntisemitism, which accused Macklemore of using Ed Sheeran's concert to promote an anti-Israel message.
The promotional group Messina Touring Group, responsible for Ed Sheeran's tour in the United States, confirmed that concert venues had protested Macklemore's continued presence on the lineup. The company announced that after discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore would not perform at the remaining dates.
Macklemore, who has been one of the prominent American musicians supporting Palestinians since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, released a song titled Hind's Hall in 2024, recognized as an anthem of protest in support of Palestinian student demonstrations. He also emphasized that his statements at MetLife align with what he has said over the past three years on various stages.
Despite the disagreements, Macklemore expressed hope that this issue would not end his friendship with Ed Sheeran and mentioned at the end of his statement that he does not need all the remaining dates on Ed Sheeran's tour to achieve his goal. He said: 'I needed two opportunities to stand in front of 90,000 people and say words that have become quite dangerous.'
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