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Ed Sheeran responds to backlash over removing Macklemore from tour after ‘Free Palestine’ comments
EntertainmentMusicMusic News•September 15, 2026 at 8:52 PMNational

Ed Sheeran responds to backlash over removing Macklemore from tour after ‘Free Palestine’ comments

By Adrian Horton•The Guardian Music

English singer outlines his position after US stadium owners refuse to let rapper perform after political speechMacklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after ‘free Palestine’ speechSinger Ed Sheeran has responded to the backlash over the removal of Macklemore from his North American Loop tour, following the rapper’s “Free Palestine” speech on stage at MetLife stadium in New Jersey.In a two-minute speech on 4 September, the Grammy-winning artist told the audience he wanted the people of Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them”, prompting owners of subsequent stadium tour venues – including Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and a prominent supporter of and donor to Israel – to object to Macklemore’s appearance on the tour. Continue reading...

English singer outlines his position after US stadium owners refuse to let rapper perform after political speech

Singer Ed Sheeran has responded to the backlash over the removal of Macklemore from his North American Loop tour, following the rapper’s “Free Palestine” speech on stage at MetLife stadium in New Jersey.

In a two-minute speech on 4 September, the Grammy-winning artist told the audience he wanted the people of Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them”, prompting owners of subsequent stadium tour venues – including Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and a prominent supporter of and donor to Israel – to object to Macklemore’s appearance on the tour.

Continue reading...