Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after onstage remarks about Palestine and the people of Gaza, according to the New York Post, which also reported that he was seen walking with his parents in Seattle on Wednesday in his first sighting since the dispute. He was dropped from the tour two days before that outing, the Post reported. Macklemore said on Instagram that Sheeran and his team removed him following what he described as a "painful disagreement" and claimed Sheeran was pressured by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Sheeran said the decision was the promoter's, not his. The New York Post reported that all of Sheeran's other opening acts — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga — have also left the Loop Tour.
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour; other opening acts exit
Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after onstage remarks about Palestine and the people of Gaza, according to the New York Post, which also reported that he was seen walking with his parents in Seattle on Wednesday in his first sighting since the dispute. He was dropped from the tour two days before that outing, the Post reported. Macklemore said on Instagram that Sheeran and his team removed him following what he described as a "painful disagreement" and claimed Sheeran was pressured by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Sheeran said the decision was the promoter's, not his. The New York Post reported that all of Sheeran's other opening acts — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga — have also left the Loop Tour.
According to the New York Post, Macklemore, a three-time Grammy winner born Benjamin Haggerty, is 43. The Post reported he was photographed on Wednesday walking between his parents, Bill Haggerty and Julie Schott, drinking coconut water and wearing jeans and a purple Real Madrid jersey while the three appeared to be in serious conversation.
Macklemore stated on Instagram that he was removed after a "painful disagreement," the New York Post reported. He claimed, according to the Post, that Kraft — whose Kraft Group owns and operates Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts — rallied other stadium owners who together gave Sheeran an ultimatum: if Macklemore remained on the tour, Sheeran would not be allowed to play in their venues.
Sheeran, 35, said in a statement reported by the New York Post that he "spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge," and denied having anything to do with Macklemore's removal. "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me," he wrote. He added that he would not let down fans who had made plans or abandon the touring crew and other support acts who rely on him for work.
The New York Post reported that all of Sheeran's other tour openers — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga — dropped out in solidarity with Macklemore. Finneas wrote on Instagram on Tuesday that artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed, and said he stands with Palestine and its people.
Amid the controversy, Macklemore announced he was donating his entire $1 million in earnings from Sheeran's tour to six Palestinian aid organizations, according to the New York Post. The Post reported that Kraft subsequently pledged $2 million to aid in the region to fight the humanitarian crisis, said he has dedicated his life to trying to help people come together, and said he believes "all lives are worth protecting." According to the Post, Kraft, 85, also said he was willing to sit and talk with Macklemore about their political differences.
The New York Post reported that fans have demanded refunds from Ticketmaster after Macklemore was removed from the tour.
CT Public published a headline stating that the Ed Sheeran tour continues to attract controversy following Macklemore's removal; the text supplied from that outlet contained no further reporting on the event beyond its headline and station promotional material.
Where sources differ
- Macklemore said Ed Sheeran and his team removed him from the Loop Tour after a "painful disagreement" and claimed Sheeran was pressured by Robert Kraft to do so; Sheeran denied involvement and said the removal was the promoter's decision and that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter, not him. Both accounts are reported by the New York Post.
- Macklemore said stadium owners collectively gave Sheeran an ultimatum that he would be barred from their venues if Macklemore stayed on the tour; Sheeran said he spent the week speaking with the venues to try to "build a bridge." Both statements are reported by the New York Post.
- The New York Post identifies Kraft as having "demanded Macklemore be dropped from the tour" in one reference and, elsewhere, reports Macklemore's claim that Kraft pressured Sheeran; the sources do not record any statement from Kraft addressing that specific allegation.
- The specific onstage remarks Macklemore made about Palestine and Gaza are not quoted or described in detail in either source.
- Neither source identifies the promoter of the Loop Tour, states the promoter's position, or reports any comment from the promoter despite Sheeran saying the removal was the promoter's decision.
- No response from Ticketmaster to fans' refund demands is reported in either source.
- No comment is reported from the stadium or venue owners Macklemore alleges collectively issued an ultimatum to Sheeran.
- None of the sources states whether Kraft has responded to Macklemore's specific allegation that he rallied stadium owners against the tour.
- Neither source independently verifies either Macklemore's or Sheeran's account of how the removal was decided.
- The number of tour dates affected, the status of ticket refunds, and the terms of Macklemore's contract are not established.
- The supplied text from CT Public contains no report body beyond its headline, so nothing in that outlet corroborates the details reported by the New York Post.
- CT Public — original — by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento
- New York Post — by Tamantha Ryan
Read the original at CT Public