From Rolling Stone · Jon Blistein · · 2m
Macklemore says stadium owners forced him off Sheeran's tour
A rapper's onstage "Free Palestine" turned into an ultimatum that cost him a stadium tour.
In brief
A rapper's onstage "Free Palestine" turned into an ultimatum that cost him a stadium tour. When venue owners control the stage, an artist's politics can be priced out of the tour without anyone officially banning anything. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
Dropped after two shows
Macklemore says he was forced off Ed Sheeran's US tour after chanting "Free Palestine" onstage. He joined the trek in early September for two MetLife Stadium dates.
A call from the owner
In an Instagram statement, Macklemore said Patriots owner Robert Kraft phoned Sheeran before a Gillette Stadium date in Foxborough.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium”
The ultimatum
Macklemore says Kraft pulled other stadium owners in behind him, turning one venue's objection into a tour-wide condition.
“If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
The promoter's version
Messina Touring Group named no one, but said venues had told them a show with Macklemore on the bill would not happen, which would kill the tour.
Kraft confirms his part
Kraft said he barred Macklemore from Gillette over the New Jersey shows and what he called a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. He did not address rallying other owners.
What happened onstage
At MetLife, Macklemore expressed solidarity with Gaza and the West Bank, showed images of the destruction, and performed "Hind's Hall." Pro-Israel groups petitioned to remove him.
Still friends, still split
Macklemore called Sheeran a friend and their week of talks loving but unresolved. He said telling the truth about what happened mattered more than protecting the friendship.
“our friendship can't change my responsibility to tell the truth”
Sheeran's apolitical corner
Macklemore said Sheeran was stuck, told that the words and the flag hurt people he knew, and unable to move past his public line of not taking sides.
“But he couldn't get past his public facing, 'I don't take sides.'”
No neutral ground
Macklemore argued that staying out of it is itself a choice when one side holds the weapons and the funding.
“There is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”
Keep the focus off him
He said neither he nor Sheeran is the victim here, and called the whole fight small next to what Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are living through.
“Antisemitism is real. And that is exactly why the word matters too much to be used as a shield against criticism of the Israeli state.”
What it means
When venue owners control the stage, an artist's politics can be priced out of the tour without anyone officially banning anything.
