On September 4, rapper Macklemore performed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During his set, he wore a keffiyeh, expressed support for Palestinians and said “Free Palestine”. He also performed his protest song Hind’s Hall, which addresses the war in Gaza, alongside footage showing destruction.

According to the ABC News, Macklemore has been an outspoken supporter of Palestinians. His comments at the Sheeran concert drew criticism from pro-Israel groups and others who objected to his use of the concert stage for political messaging.

A petition called for Macklemore to be removed

The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from Sheeran’s tour. The group criticised his comments and accused him of promoting what it described as anti-Israel messaging.

The controversy also reached stadium owners. Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, said he opposed Macklemore performing at his stadium because of the rapper’s recent comments and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Macklemore, meanwhile, said Kraft and other stadium owners had pressured Sheeran to remove him from the tour.

Macklemore was dropped from the tour

On September 14, Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Sheeran’s US tour, announced that Macklemore would no longer perform at the remaining shows, reports The Guardian.

The promoter said the decision followed discussions with stakeholders and that several venues had indicated they would not allow concerts to go ahead with Macklemore on the bill.

Macklemore said he had spoken with Sheeran about the situation and suggested that pressure from stadium owners had effectively forced the singer to choose between keeping him on the tour and keeping the shows at those venues.

He also said the decision would not stop him from speaking about Palestine.

Sheeran says it was not his decision

Sheeran responded on September 15, saying he wanted to “set out some facts”.

He said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and the venues, not by him.

Sheeran said he had spent the week speaking with venues, promoters and people on both sides of the Israel-Palestine debate in an attempt to find a solution. But, he said, the decision by the promoter and venues was ultimately final.

He also said he was “appalled” by the suffering caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict and has personal views on the issue, but chooses not to discuss them publicly at his concerts. Sheeran said he wants his shows to be spaces for music, unity and escapism rather than political forums.

Then all the other opening acts left

The controversy escalated on September 15 when the remaining opening acts announced that they would no longer perform on Sheeran’s tour.

According to The Washington Post, they included Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and frequent collaborator; Danish pop group Lukas Graham; Irish singer Aaron Rowe; and the Irish band Beoga, which also performs as part of Sheeran’s touring band.

Finneas said: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” The other artists also expressed support for Palestinians and criticised the circumstances surrounding Macklemore’s removal, reports Sky News.

What is the controversy really about?

At its centre, it is a disagreement over political expression at concerts.

Macklemore and the artists who have left the tour argue that musicians should be able to use their platforms to speak about war, civilian deaths and the suffering of Palestinians.

Sheeran has taken a different approach. He says his concerts are intended to be spaces for everyone and that he does not use his shows as political forums.

There is also a dispute over responsibility for Macklemore’s removal. Macklemore has portrayed the decision as the result of pressure from powerful stadium owners, while Sheeran says the final decision belonged to the promoter and venues, not him.

For now, the immediate result is clear: all of Sheeran’s planned opening acts for the affected dates have withdrawn, leaving his upcoming shows without their original support lineup.