Ed Sheeran‘s Loop Tour has become the center of a major music-industry controversy after Macklemore was dropped from the lineup following a pro-Palestine chant during his opening set.
Fallout from the situation has since sparked chatter from the likes of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Pink and a string of other artists.
Scroll down for a breakdown of the situation unfolded and where things stand now:
Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Moment
While opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, 2026, Macklemore chanted “Free Palestine” and denounced genocide in all forms before performing his protest track “Hind’s Hall” in opposition of Israel’s war in Gaza. During his set, the rapper claimed one of his primary reasons for signing onto the roster for the stadium shows was to advocate for Palestine amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Pink’s Involvement in the Backlash
Days later, Pink reposted comments from StopAntisemitism, accusing Macklemore of spreading “anti-Israel propaganda” that soon sparked backlash. She addressed the controversy in a statement that month.
“I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it,” she wrote in an Instagram statement shared on Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Jewish year, claiming that, “Hamas is a terrorist organization” but “Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity and their aspirations.”
Of her reaction to Macklemore’s speech, she added, in part, “A repost isn’t a statement, and a meme isn’t a spine.”
Macklemore Removed From Ed Sheeran’s Tour
News broke on September 14, 2026, that Macklemore would not perform at Sheeran’s remaining U.S. shows. Concert promoter Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone in a statement that several venues had notified the company they would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, “which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans.”
Sheeran addressed the decision via Instagram on September 15, writing, “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 added that “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine” and stressed that he respects Macklemore “as an artist.”
Sheeran continued: “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”
Macklemore fired back on Instagram, alleging, “I didn’t need 10 shows from Ed. I 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’ve ever been on.”
Macklemore also described Sheeran as a friend of 13 years and hoped that the disagreement would not end their friendship.
“I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world,” he added in his statement. “Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families.”
Other ‘Loop Tour’ Acts Withdraw
Since Macklemore’s exit, additional Loop Tour acts — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga — have dropped out. Kehlani, who was not affiliated with the concerts, voiced support for Macklemore in the comments of his Instagram post, writing, “A LOT of the venues / owners are rallied together this way. Honored to know you brother. Adore you. Behind you!!!!”
Robert Kraft Weighs In
Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, was partially blamed for Macklemore being removed from the Loop Tour bill.
In a statement, Kraft told ESPN that Macklemore’s participation in the September 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium “would cross that line” following an alleged “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.”
Macklemore’s $1 Million Donation Challenge
Macklemore announced on September 17, 2026 that he planned to donate the $1 million he earned from the Loop Tour to six organizations that support Palestinians.
“I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation,” he wrote. “Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting.”
Kraft responded the same day, sharing in a statement of his own, “Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.”
According to Kraft, Sheeran reportedly “plans to reach out to other venue owners” to continue “to work together to build bridges.”
“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft added. “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”
Ed Sheeran Cries as He Addresses Controversy at Philadelphia Concert
All eyes were on Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 19, 2026, as Sheeran returned to the stage for the first time since the controversy with Macklemore erupted.
Ahead of the show, his management changed the start time from 5:30 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET to account for support acts dropping out. Ticket prices also took a hit, with some seats dropping from $100 early to as low as $42 on Saturday.
Sheeran made the decision to drastically alter the format of the Philly show, removing the B-stage where he traditionally took song requests from fans.
At showtime, Sheeran got choked up as he addressed the events of the past week, explaining to fans that he was used to his “music being criticized” but never his personal beliefs.
“This week, the criticism was about something much more important, and I’ve had to take [it in] and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I’m so so sorry,” he said from the stage.
Sheeran reflected on being placed “in the middle of an important, passionate argument about freedom of speech.”
“This is a humanitarian issue [in Palestine] and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore,” he acknowledged. “What happened in Israel on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable — and disproportionate. … The systemic injustice we see unfolding in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”
The singer-songwriter thanked his fans for standing by him, telling them he was “honestly so grateful” that they’d come out to support him after such a tumultuous week.
Melissa Barrera Compares Her ‘Scream 7’ Firing to Macklemore’s Situation
Melissa Barrera spoke to The Associated Press on September 16 about how the support Macklemore was receiving from fans and fellow artists differed from her own firing from Scream 7 after making pro-Palestinian statements.
“It made me emotional, you know,” Barrera said. “I didn’t get that when it happened to me. I didn’t have any of that happen. It was too soon. People were too scared. But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed.”
The actress was infamously dropped from the cast of Scream 7 for showing support for Palestinian causes in the wake of the October 7, 2023, terror attacks. (Production company Spyglass has maintained that her support for Palestinians was not the reason for her departure from the franchise.)
Speaking about the current situation, Barrera suggested Sheeran should have sent a powerful message about free speech by standing by Macklemore.
“I wish that the people that have power understood the power that they have,” she told The Associated Press. “ I think that the problem is that there’s a lot of people that actually have a lot of power; they think that they don’t, and they’re operating out of fear, and it’s just a shame because, you know, we just saw what happened — the support that rallied behind Macklemore — and I think that’s a big step. I think that what we’re seeing, what we’re witnessing, is going to inspire real change, and I’m very hopeful about that.”
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
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