What's Going On With Ed Sheeran's Tour?

Ed Sheeran is pretty much known for writing inoffensive, easy-listening pop music, but the singer-songwriter has found himself in the hot seat after one of his openers, rapper Macklemore, set critics aflame with a song about the war in Palestine. Here's why the performance caused so much controversy and where the tour stands.

Why Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour

It’s been a while since people have talked about Seattle-based rapper Macklemore, who beat Kendrick Lamar for the Grammy for best rap album in 2014 alongside his producer Ryan Lewis (to many people’s surprise and outrage). But he’s back in the headlines after a performance earlier this month opening for Ed Sheeran. During the Sept. 4 stop at MetLife Stadium, the rapper gave a speech that has since sparked backlash.

“A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine,’” he said during a speech that also criticized ICE and called for a free Sudan. “I said: ‘Free Palestine!’ I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them.”

He also performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” named after the Columbia University protest honoring 6-year-old Palestinian Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza City after the IDF fired on a car carrying the young girl and other family members. During the song, Macklemore showed images of the devastation in Gaza and pro-Palestine messages. He performed again the following night, on Sept. 5.

It may be worth noting that this isn’t the first time the “Thrift Shop” rapper upset the Jewish community. In 2014, he dressed up for a concert wearing a bowl-cut wig, black beard, and a fake hook nose in what appeared to be an antisemitic caricature at a time when his biggest song was about bargain hunting. The rapper said he wore the costume to disguise himself during a secret show and denied any ill intent behind it. "I'm saddened that this story, or any of my choices, would lead to any form of negativity,” he said at the time, while acknowledging “how the costume could, within a context of stereotyping, be ascribed to a Jewish caricature.”

While on stage, he said, “To all my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.” He added, “My message is for peace, love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.”

After the concert, criticism of the performance circulated. StopAntisemitism accused Macklemore of “ambushing” fans with “anti-Israel propaganda,” and the Israeli-American Council published a petition urging Sheeran and tour organizers to drop the rapper, whom it accused of using “a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda.” 

Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s tour by Messina Touring Group, the promoter, on Sept. 14 after several venues said they would cancel shows if the rapper stayed on the lineup. Rolling Stone reports those venues were Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina; AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. 

Macklemore claimed that he was booted after pressure from New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft. He said Sheeran told him, “Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

Ed Sheeran’s response to Macklemore

On Sept. 15, Sheeran took to Instagram to explain what happened. “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 the objection was due to “how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said.”

“Those who have been to my shows know they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome,” the four-time Grammy-winning artist continued. However, he insisted despite the apolitical nature of his shows, “I am not complicit… Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have [views on the conflict], and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”

Kraft said in a statement, "Based on Macklemore's recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's 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, we determined that his participation in the September 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line." He did not address the allegations that he pressured other stadium owners to bar Macklemore from performing.

Critics have pointed out that Ye (fka Kanye West), who has called himself a Nazi and has a song called “Heil Hitler,” has not had any of his U.S. tour dates canceled over his repeated antisemitic statements, although some international shows were canceled. Ye, however, was not booked at Gillette Stadium, although he does have a scheduled stop at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on November 7.

All other openers quit Sheeran’s tour in protest

As of Sept. 15, the remaining opening acts for The Loop tour have all dropped out in solidarity with Macklemore. Irish musician Aaron Rowe wrote on Instagram, “I don’t take the decision lightly… but as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.”

Finneas and Danish pop band Lukas Graham followed suit, with Finneas writing on Instagram, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” Irish folk band Beoga, which was serving as Sheeran’s backing band, also withdrew. “We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people,” the band said. “We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists For Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be.”

Openers or not, it seems the show will go on: The Loop tour is scheduled to continue on Sept. 19 in Philadelphia.