Ed Sheeran faces calls to axe support act Macklemore from tour over rapper’s ‘Free Palestine’ speech
Macklemore has provoked a fierce backlash after declaring “Free Palestine” on stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey whilst serving as the opening act on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
The four-time Grammy winner made the remarks during Friday evening’s performance, delivering a lengthy address to the crowd before performing his protest track Hind’s Hall, which criticises Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The Israeli American Council swiftly responded by launching a petition calling on Mr Sheeran to drop Macklemore from the remaining tour dates.
The advocacy group argued that the rapper had exploited a global concert platform to push a politically one-sided message, insisting that the event was meant to be a music show rather than a venue for activist campaigning.
Macklemore has sparked backlash after declaring ‘Free Palestine’ while opening for Ed Sheeran
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In its petition, the Israeli American Council stated: “The issue is not whether Macklemore has the right to hold political views.
“The question is where the line should be drawn when an opening act uses a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda.”
The group further demanded that tour organisers confirm whether the rapper’s political remarks, visual material, and decision to perform Hind’s Hall had received prior approval from those running the tour.
It also urged the establishment of firm guidelines governing political expression on the Loop Tour stage.
The rapper delivered a politically charged speech during his performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium
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“Freedom of expression does not mean freedom from responsibility. Your show. Your stage. Your responsibility,” the petition declared.
It added: “Keep Ed Sheeran’s LOOP Tour about music, not political propaganda.”
The petition does not currently display a signature count.
Before launching into the song on Friday, Macklemore told the stadium crowd: “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.”
Ed Sheeran is facing calls to drop Macklemore from the remaining dates of his Loop Tour
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He spoke about his 11-year-old daughter Sloan, who was present at the concert, expressing his wish for every child worldwide to experience safety rather than violence.
“I want to see her grow up, I want to see her go to school, to fall in love, to figure out meaning, purpose, joy, her existence on this planet,” he said, adding that every person on earth deserved the same.
The rapper also targeted US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, describing ICE as a “terrorist organisation” and calling for freedom for people across America, Cuba, Congo, Sudan and Iran.
Hind’s Hall was penned by Macklemore in 2024 as an expression of solidarity with pro-Palestinian demonstrations sweeping American university campuses.
.@edsheeran I brought my wife and two daughters to MetLife Friday because we are huge fans of yours. We arrived early, I spent $180 on two sweatshirts for them, watched the first two opening acts and were having a great time.
Then Macklemore decided to turn your concert into his…
— Josh Wein (@jmwein) September 6, 2026
The track takes its name from the decision by Columbia University students to rename the academic building Hamilton Hall after Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip.
Proceeds from the song have been channelled towards humanitarian relief efforts through UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.
The track directly challenges Israel’s conduct in Gaza and has remained a flashpoint in the broader cultural debate surrounding the conflict.
Macklemore has previously demonstrated his willingness to take political stands at personal cost, having cancelled a performance in Dubai over the UAE’s role in what he described as the crisis in Sudan.
Macklemore performed as the opening act for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
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The reaction inside MetLife Stadium was sharply divided.
Whilst some audience members cheered and applauded the rapper’s stance, others left the venue, having not anticipated what they felt amounted to a political rally rather than a concert.
This split translated over to social media.
One concerned concert attendee wrote on X: “I brought my wife and two daughters to MetLife Friday because we are huge fans of yours…Macklemore decided to turn your concert into his political rally.”
The rapper performed Hind’s Hall, a track he released in support of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in 2024
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Another penned: “Ed Sheeran is letting his concerts turn into a hate fest.”
“I’m so appalled by Ed Sheeran,” said a third.
However, others defended both the singer and the rapper.
One person wrote on X: “I stand with Macklemore and Ed Sheeran.”
Someone else commented: “Them boycotting Ed Sheeran for something Macklemore did is so f*****g stupid.”
Macklemore was undeterred by the controversy, delivering the same politically charged remarks during his Saturday evening set at the same venue, repeating his calls for Palestinian freedom and his broader message about human rights.
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