Culture
CROSS-SPECTRUMBROAD COVERAGE
Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour after pro‑Palestine remarks, Ed Sheeran acknowledges venue pressure
Macklemore said he was taken off the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after his on‑stage comments supporting Palestinians at MetLife Stadium. He alleged that stadium owner Robert Kraft warned that he would be barred from Kraft Group venues, prompting the promoter to drop him. Ed Sheeran later confirmed that Macklemore had relayed such an ultimatum and noted that the contract was with the promoter, not himself. The dispute has highlighted how political statements can impact major concert tours and venue bookings.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 26h later
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
- Coverage peaked at 6 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
It shows how artists' political speech can affect their participation in large‑scale tours and the business decisions of venues.
How this story developed
- Sep 6 Macklemore's pro-Palestine remarks at Ed Sheeran concert spark IAC backlash
- Sep 14 Macklemore said Robert Kraft warned that Kraft Group venues would bar the tour if he stayed on the lineup.
- Sep 16 Ed Sheeran publicly affirmed Macklemore’s account of the Kraft ultimatum.
