Macklemore has been dropped as the opening act for the North American leg of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after a politically charged speech he gave on stage last week, tour promoter Messina Touring Group and Ed Sheeran's team confirmed.
The American rapper, known to many for his hit "Troublemaker" with Olly Murs and Flo Rida, had been billed as Sheeran's opener for a run of dates that had generated significant excitement among fans of both artists.
The trouble began at concerts on September 4 and 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During his set, Macklemore paused for roughly two minutes to deliver a speech before performing his song "Hind's Hall." In it, he addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, telling the crowd his aim was to promote peace, love and equality for all people. The remarks spread rapidly online, sparking days of heated public debate.
Ed Sheeran's team makes a call
Messina Touring Group and Sheeran's team said several venue operators set to host upcoming stops on the tour had threatened not to let Sheeran's shows go ahead if Macklemore remained on the bill as opener. That threat put the entire run of dates at risk, raising the possibility of cancellations that would have affected hundreds of thousands of ticket holders.
According to Macklemore's own account, pressure from the stadium owners was the deciding factor in his removal, and he said he ultimately issued a direct ultimatum to the tour's team. Sheeran, who has consistently kept an apolitical public profile throughout his career, was left with what Macklemore described as a very difficult decision to make.
Macklemore called it "a week of difficult conversations" between the two men, despite a friendship he said spans thirteen years.
A petition and P!nk's reaction
The backlash grew large enough that the Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore's removal from the tour, arguing that a concert of that scale should not be used as a platform for political views.
Singer P!nk was also drawn into the controversy after sharing a social media post criticizing Macklemore's comments. After facing a wave of negative reactions from fans, she published a lengthy message setting out her position in more detail. P!nk said she never intended for another artist to be silenced or fired, and had not called for any cancellations. She added that, as a Jewish mother, the situation and the speech had caused deep concern for both her and her loved ones.
Macklemore's response
Macklemore later published a lengthy statement defending himself, saying his message was the same one he has been sharing for years. He said neither he, nor Sheeran, nor P!nk were victims in this story, given that all three enjoy lifestyles that cannot be compared to those of the people affected by the wars he speaks out against.
Staying firm in his convictions, Macklemore closed his statement by saying his responsibility as a voice for social causes matters more to him than his career, and that everything he has faced over it has been worth it if it succeeded in changing people's minds. He said that if the speech was what cost him his place on the tour, then it had still been the most successful tour of his life.
