# Ed Sheeran says venues, not he, cut Macklemore from the tour > A stadium ultimatum, a billionaire's veto, and four opening acts walking out: how Macklemore lost eight nights on the Loop Tour. - Title: Ed Sheeran says venues, not he, cut Macklemore from the tour - Summary: A stadium ultimatum, a billionaire's veto, and four opening acts walking out: how Macklemore lost eight nights on the Loop Tour. Sheeran says the contract… - Keywords: ed sheeran, macklemore, touring, free speech, gaza, news, politics, Sheeran, venues, cut, tour, Fox News - Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/entertainment/ed-sheeran-says-he-tried-build-bridge-over-macklemore-tour-spot-before-venues-said-no - Author: Christina Dugan Ramirez - Published: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: ed sheeran, macklemore, touring, free speech, gaza, news, politics ## Sheeran finally answers On Tuesday he posted a long Instagram statement about Macklemore's removal from the U.S. leg, saying the call came from the concert promoter and the venues rather than from him. ## Appalled by both sides He described the Israel-Palestine conflict as a human tragedy and said he was appalled by the suffering, framing his silence as a choice rather than indifference. ## The booking was mutual Macklemore asked to join the tour last year and Sheeran said yes out of respect for him as an artist, with the usual deal that support acts pick their own setlists. > Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist ## Macklemore's account He said Sheeran told him Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft had rallied other stadium owners against him, leaving Sheeran with a flat ultimatum. > if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues ## Sheeran's version differs He says the pressure came after the New Jersey shows, when venues on upcoming dates told organizers they would pull the concerts outright if Macklemore stayed on the bill. > venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting ## A week on the phone Sheeran says he spent days talking to venues, promoters and activists on both sides looking for a compromise. Kraft was one of those calls. The answer did not move. > I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. ## The contract wasn't his Macklemore signed with the promoter, not with Sheeran, who says that left the final decision outside his hands. Eight remaining U.S. dates were affected. > Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. ## Why he keeps politics off stage Sheeran says his crowds include children from every background and come expecting safety, not a political forum. He calls it one of several valid routes to the same goal. > I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary ## Shouting isn't the only way He respects Macklemore's willingness to stand up and shout, but argues that volume alone does not move anything, and that advocacy can look like keeping conversations open. > If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. ## Not complicit Sheeran pushed back hard on the idea that staying quiet means he has no views. He says he holds them privately and cares, whatever he chooses to publish. > Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them ## The people on the payroll He framed the week as a balancing act between venues, promoters, ticket holders, crew and support acts, saying he would not strand fans or the people who work the tour. > I would never let down the fans who had made plans ## Finneas walks first Billie Eilish's brother, booked for South American dates later this year, pulled out after reading the statement and said plainly where he stands. > Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. ## Aaron Rowe invokes Ireland The Irish singer called Sheeran a friend who changed his life, then withdrew anyway, tying his decision to Irish memory of famine, occupation and resistance. > I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices ## Beoga and Lukas Graham follow The traditional Irish band gave up the biggest stages they had ever played while backing dialogue over rupture. Lukas Graham said he could not carry on as things stand. > We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people. ## What lit the fuse A week earlier, opening in New Jersey, Macklemore repeatedly called to free Palestine and performed his anti-Israel song "Hind's Hall" in front of the stadium crowd. ## The promoter makes it official Messina Touring Group said venues told them no concert would go ahead with Macklemore on the lineup, which would have killed the tour and hundreds of thousands of tickets. > After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates. ## Nobody here is the victim Macklemore opened his response by refusing the martyr role for himself, Sheeran or Pink, then pointed at Gaza, citing more than 20,000 children killed. > Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families. ## Kraft draws his line Gillette Stadium said Macklemore's material from the New Jersey stage, plus what it called a history of antisemitic rhetoric, crossed its rule against platforming hate speech. > events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech ## Two shows were enough Kraft offered to sit down and talk facts. Macklemore, still hoping the friendship survives, said losing the stage put Palestine back in the conversation, which was the point. > I didn't need 10 shows from Ed. I needed 2. ## Key takeaway Sheeran says the contract was with the promoter and the venues held the real leverage, so the loudest voice in the fight was the one that controlled the buildings.