Ed Sheeran Says Promoter, Not Him, Removed Macklemore from Loop Tour

Ed Sheeran has publicly addressed the removal of Macklemore from his ongoing Loop Tour, stating that the decision was made by the tour’s promoter and not by him personally.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Sheeran wrote that venues on his upcoming U.S. dates had communicated they would pull their shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup, following the rapper’s pro-Palestinian remarks at two New Jersey concerts earlier this month.

Sheeran said he spent the week trying to find a resolution but was ultimately unable to do so.

Sheeran Sets Out His Account

Sheeran opened his statement by saying he was ‘appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine’ and described the suffering on both sides as a ‘human tragedy’ [7†L13-L15].

He confirmed that Macklemore had asked to join the tour last year and that he had agreed because he respected him as an artist [7†L16-L18].

According to Sheeran, after Macklemore’s performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, venues on upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if Macklemore was still supporting [7†L19-L21].

Sheeran wrote that he was told this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance rather than on everything that was said [7†L21-L23].

He said he spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge, including with Robert Kraft, and was also involved in direct talks with promoters and activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution [7†L23-L26].

Sheeran stated that the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final and that Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, not his [7†L26-L28].

He noted that Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not with him [7†L28].

Sheeran Explains His Approach to Politics

Sheeran also addressed criticism that he had not taken a public stance on the conflict, writing ‘I am not complicit’ and stating that he has personal views on the devastating conflict [7†L35-L38].

He said that just because he chooses not to speak publicly, it does not mean he does not have those views or that he does not care [7†L36-L38].

Sheeran explained that he does not use his professional platform for politics because his audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds [7†L39-L41].

He wrote that those who come to his shows do not expect a political forum and that he respects Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes [7†L41-L43].

Sheeran added that there is room for multiple approaches to the same end of peace and that he chooses to use his fame and platform as a place of safety and sanctuary [7†L43-L47].

He concluded by saying he had spent the week trying to build bridges and find a solution but was unable to do so [16†L44-L46].

Macklemore’s Response and Allegations

Macklemore first announced his removal from the tour in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday, saying that Sheeran and his team had made the decision [5†L6-L8].

In that statement, Macklemore alleged that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had called Sheeran to say Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at his venue [8†L17-L20].

Macklemore further alleged that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave Sheeran an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, Sheeran would not be allowed to play in their venues [8†L20-L22].

Macklemore wrote that he did not view himself or Sheeran as victims, stating that ‘the victims are the Palestinian people’ [8†L10-L14].

He also said his 13-year friendship with Sheeran remains intact despite their disagreement, writing that their friendship ‘can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened’ [5†L34-L36].

Macklemore said that taking a side can cost money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access, adding that he has lost all of those things but that ‘there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed’ [5†L37-L39].

Robert Kraft Confirms His Role

Robert Kraft confirmed in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he had played a role in the decision, saying Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at the venue do not provide a platform for hate speech [15†L9-L12].

Kraft said that based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during the New Jersey shows, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery, the stadium determined that his participation in the September 25 and 26 concerts would cross that line [15†L12-L17].

Kraft stated that the decision was not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf, but that such advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community [15†L36-L40].

He added that standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive [15†L42-L43].

Kraft also said he would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore to discuss the facts, stating that ultimately the goal is the same: peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate [15†L44-L47].

Industry Reactions

Several artists and public figures have spoken out in support of Macklemore following his removal from the tour.

Ms. Rachel, the children’s educator and YouTube star, shared an Instagram post addressed to Sheeran, writing that he had an opportunity to show that people will not be bullied into punishing artists for supporting Palestine [9†L35-L39].

The rock band Garbage called the decision ‘so wildly unjust’ and defended Macklemore’s comments as neither violent nor hateful [14†L50-L54].

The band wrote that Macklemore’s words were not antisemitic yet he was being punished for pleading for the occupation, oppression and violence to stop [14†L55-L57].

The group MUNA reposted coverage of the news, writing that everyone involved in the move to silence free speech about a genocide is ‘utterly pathetic’ and expressing solidarity with Macklemore [14†L58-L61].

R&B star Kehlani commented beneath Macklemore’s Instagram statement, writing that a lot of venues and owners are rallied together this way and expressing support [14†L62-L65].

Tour Status

The Loop Tour is scheduled to resume on September 19 in Philadelphia without Macklemore [19†L5-L8].

It remains unclear whether a replacement opening act will be announced for the remaining U.S. dates [22†L7-L8].

Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at eight of the ten shows remaining on Sheeran’s stadium tour [19†L6-L8].

Representatives for the Kraft Group and Gillette Stadium have not released additional statements beyond Kraft’s initial comments.

Sheeran has not issued any further public statements since his Instagram post on Tuesday.