# Dearborn's mayor offers Macklemore a stage

> Dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over a Gaza rant, Macklemore just got a free concert offer from an Arab-majority city.
- Title: Dearborn's mayor offers Macklemore a stage · New York Post
- Summary: Dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over a Gaza rant, Macklemore just got a free concert offer from an Arab-majority city. When a corporate venue closes a door, a…
- Keywords: macklemore, dearborn, gaza, music industry, free speech, news, entertainment, Dearborn's, mayor, offers, stage, New York Post
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/us-news/mayor-of-arab-majority-city-invites-macklemore-to-perform-free-concert-after-anti-israel-uproar
- Published: 2026-09-15T18:57:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: macklemore, dearborn, gaza, music industry, free speech, news, entertainment
## A mayor makes an offer
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud invited Macklemore to play a free, city-sponsored concert days after the rapper lost his arena tour slot.

> If they don't want you performing in their stadiums, you're always welcome in Dearborn.
## Booted from the Sheeran tour
Macklemore, 43, had eight more US shows opening for Ed Sheeran. Promoter Messina Touring Group cut him this week, saying stadium owners wouldn't take him.
## Why Dearborn
The Michigan city holds one of the highest concentrations of Muslim and Arab Americans in the country. Hammoud, a Democrat, framed the invite as solidarity.

> We stand with you and for a free Palestine.
## The rant that started it
Wearing a keffiyeh at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine and accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. The ADL and the Israeli-American Council hit back.
## He blames the owners
Macklemore says he was cut at the urging of Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other moguls who thought keeping him on tour was too much of a risk.
## Sheeran keeps his distance
Sheeran has declined to take a side and said the removal was the promoter's call, not his. Macklemore called him out anyway. No reply from Macklemore to Dearborn yet.
## Key takeaway

When a corporate venue closes a door, a political constituency can open one, and both moves are statements.