Ed Sheeran has addressed Macklemore’s removal from the remaining U.S. dates of his Loop Tour, saying the decision was made by the promoter after venues threatened to pull upcoming shows if the rapper remained on the lineup. Sheeran also confirmed that he was involved in discussions with venues, including Robert Kraft, as he attempted to find a solution.
“I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” Ed Sheeran wrote in a series of Instagram Stories. “The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.”
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Ed Sheeran explained that Macklemore had asked to join the tour last year and that he agreed because he respected him as an artist. Under the arrangement, Sheeran said his support acts were allowed to perform sets of their choosing, meaning Macklemore had control over the content of his performance.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote. “Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.” He added that he would not abandon fans who had made plans to attend the concerts, while also pointing to the touring crew, musicians and other support acts whose livelihoods depend on the shows continuing.
The statement follows Macklemore’s September 14 announcement that he had been removed from the remaining Loop Tour dates after performing at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium concerts in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. During his sets, Macklemore spoke about the war in Gaza, urged the crowd to say “Free Palestine” and performed “Hind’s Hall,” his 2024 protest song inspired by demonstrations over the conflict.
Macklemore later claimed that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and head of the Kraft Group, had contacted Ed Sheeran after the MetLife performances. According to Macklemore, Kraft said the rapper would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and had rallied other stadium owners around an ultimatum: keep Macklemore on the tour and lose access to their venues.
Ed Sheeran addressed that account directly, confirming that Kraft was among the people he spoke with. “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” he said. The “Shape of You” singer added that he was told the venues’ position concerned “how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said.”
The singer said he spent the week speaking with venues and promoters, as well as activists on opposing sides of the debate, in an effort to find a compromise. Those discussions ultimately failed, leaving the promoter and venues to make the final decision.
Ed Sheeran also explained why he has chosen not to publicly campaign around the conflict. “There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics,” he wrote, pointing to the young people and children who attend his concerts and saying his shows are intended to provide “safety and sanctuary.”
That position contrasts sharply with Macklemore’s approach. In his statement, the rapper said he understood that speaking publicly could cost him opportunities, but argued that remaining neutral was not acceptable to him given the suffering of Palestinians. Despite the disagreement, Macklemore described Sheeran as a friend of 13 years and said he hoped their relationship would survive the dispute.
Ed Sheeran ended his statement by rejecting the suggestion that silence means indifference. “I am not complicit,” he wrote. “I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
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