Macklemore made headlines after using his opening performances at Ed Sheeran’s U.S. concerts to deliver a political and humanitarian message about the Israel-Gaza conflict. During Ed Sheeran’s September 4 and 5 shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine,” spoke about civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
The remarks quickly became one of the most discussed moments surrounding Sheeran’s current U.S. tour. They also triggered criticism from several pro-Israel advocacy groups and ultimately contributed to Macklemore being removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
What Did Macklemore Say at Ed Sheeran Concert?
The answer to what did Macklemore say at Ed Sheeran concert centers on his remarks during his opening set at MetLife Stadium.
Macklemore told the crowd that one reason he wanted to participate in the tour was to use large American stadium stages to publicly say “Free Palestine.” He said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.
He then spoke about his belief that all people deserve freedom, safety and peace. His comments focused on the experiences of civilians affected by violence and war, particularly children and families.
He also praised students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University, including Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.
Macklemore’s remarks were followed by a performance of “Hind’s Hall,” his 2024 protest song connected to the pro-Palestinian student demonstrations at Columbia University.
Macklemore Repeated the Message on the Second Night
Macklemore performed at both of Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows on September 4 and September 5.
After the first night’s comments generated criticism online, he returned to the subject during the second performance. He again called for Palestinian freedom and performed “Hind’s Hall.”
During the second show, Macklemore also addressed Jewish members of the audience directly. He said criticism of Israel and opposition to what he described as apartheid and genocide should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people.
He emphasized that his message was about peace, love, dignity and equality for all people.
That distinction became an important part of Macklemore’s response after the performances attracted criticism.
Why Did Macklemore Talk About Palestine?
Macklemore has been publicly outspoken about the Israel-Gaza conflict for several years. His song “Hind’s Hall” became one of his most prominent musical statements on the issue.
The song was inspired by the 2024 student demonstrations at Columbia University. Protesters had occupied Hamilton Hall and renamed it Hind’s Hall in honor of Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl whose death became a major focus of international attention.
At the Ed Sheeran concerts, Macklemore connected the song to his broader belief that musicians can use their platforms to discuss humanitarian issues.
Video displayed during his performance included imagery connected to Gaza and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, adding a strong visual element to his speech and performance.
Macklemore Also Spoke About Other Causes
His remarks were not limited to Palestine.
Macklemore also called for freedom and safety for people in other parts of the world, including Cuba, Congo, Sudan and Iran. He additionally criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, referring to the agency in highly critical terms.
His broader argument was that freedom and human rights should apply universally.
He presented the message as a call for equal treatment rather than simply a statement about one country or conflict.
How Did the Audience React?
The reaction was sharply divided.
Some concertgoers criticized Macklemore for using an Ed Sheeran concert to make political statements. Others applauded him for speaking publicly about an issue he considers important.
Videos of the performance spread across social media, where the debate became significantly larger than the original concert audience.
Critics argued that fans had purchased tickets for a music event rather than a political rally. Supporters countered that artists have historically used their performances to address social and political issues.
The disagreement soon moved beyond social media and into discussions about whether Macklemore should remain part of Sheeran’s tour.
Calls to Remove Macklemore From Ed Sheeran’s Tour
Following the MetLife Stadium performances, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the remaining dates of the tour.
The organization argued that the Ed Sheeran concerts were not intended to be political events and criticized Macklemore’s use of the stage to promote his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Other critics also objected to his remarks and accused him of promoting a one-sided political message.
At the same time, Macklemore’s supporters defended his right to speak about human rights and Palestine during his own performance.
Macklemore Responded to the Backlash
Macklemore did not retreat from his position after the controversy began.
On social media, he shared footage of his MetLife Stadium speech and wrote that wanting all humans to be treated equally should not be controversial.
His response made clear that he intended to stand behind the central message delivered during his Ed Sheeran performances.
He subsequently explained that his comments were aimed at governments and policies rather than Jewish people as a community. During his second MetLife performance, he specifically told Jewish members of the audience that criticism of Israel was not intended as criticism of them.
Macklemore Is Removed From the Remaining U.S. Tour Dates
The controversy took another major turn on September 14.
Messina Touring Group, the promoter for Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, announced that Macklemore would not perform at the remaining support dates.
According to the promoter, venues on upcoming tour dates had informed organizers that they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. The promoter said keeping him on the bill could have threatened the continuation of the tour and affected large numbers of ticket holders.
Macklemore had reportedly been scheduled to appear at eight of the remaining 10 U.S. shows.
Among the venues reported to have objected were major stadiums in Philadelphia, Foxborough, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Arlington and Tampa.
The decision means his appearance at the MetLife Stadium concerts was his final participation in the current U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour.
What Did Macklemore Say After Being Removed?
After the tour decision, Macklemore continued defending his position.
He said the consequences of speaking publicly about Palestine were significant but argued that remaining silent would conflict with his principles.
Reports published after the promoter’s announcement said Macklemore also discussed pressure surrounding the decision, including pressure connected to stakeholders associated with upcoming venues.
Ed Sheeran has not publicly issued a detailed statement supporting or criticizing Macklemore’s comments.
That has left Macklemore’s own statements and the promoter’s announcement as the main public explanations surrounding the controversy.
Did Ed Sheeran Ask Macklemore to Leave?
There is currently no public evidence that Ed Sheeran personally asked Macklemore to leave the tour.
The official explanation from the concert promoter was that venues had objected to Macklemore’s participation and that keeping him on the remaining lineup could have put upcoming concerts at risk.
That distinction is important.
Although Macklemore was performing as Sheeran’s opening act, the decision to remove him was publicly attributed to the promoter and venue concerns rather than to a direct public statement from Sheeran.
Why the Speech Became Such a Major Story
Macklemore’s comments attracted unusual attention because of the size of the audience and the prominence of the tour.
The two-night MetLife Stadium engagement brought tens of thousands of people together each night. His remarks were recorded and quickly distributed online, allowing clips of the performance to reach audiences far beyond those inside the stadium.
The controversy also involved several competing questions.
One concerned an artist’s freedom to use an opening set to discuss political and humanitarian issues. Another involved whether audiences attending a major pop concert should be exposed to political messaging. A third centered on the specific language Macklemore used when discussing Israel, Palestine and the war in Gaza.
Those disagreements helped turn a portion of an opening performance into a major story involving Macklemore, Sheeran’s tour, concert venues and advocacy organizations.
The Role of “Hind’s Hall”
“Hind’s Hall” is central to understanding Macklemore’s remarks.
Released in 2024, the song was created in response to the pro-Palestinian student demonstrations at Columbia University. Its title refers to Hamilton Hall, which protesters renamed in honor of Hind Rajab.
Macklemore has used the song as a vehicle for his political and humanitarian views, making its appearance during the Ed Sheeran shows consistent with his previous public advocacy.
At MetLife Stadium, the song was performed alongside imagery connected to Gaza and the student protest movement, reinforcing the message he had delivered immediately beforehand.
What Happens to Ed Sheeran’s Tour Now?
With Macklemore removed from the remaining U.S. dates, Sheeran’s tour is continuing with other supporting performers.
Reports indicate that Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe are among the acts involved in the remaining U.S. schedule. The U.S. run is expected to continue through November, with Tampa among the final stops.
The dispute surrounding Macklemore has therefore become a separate issue from the continuation of Sheeran’s concerts.
For fans trying to understand the controversy, the central sequence is straightforward: Macklemore delivered pro-Palestinian remarks at MetLife Stadium, performed “Hind’s Hall,” faced criticism and calls for his removal, defended his comments, and was subsequently removed from the remaining U.S. support dates after venue concerns were raised.
The Bottom Line
So, what did Macklemore say at Ed Sheeran concert?
During his opening performances at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine,” expressed solidarity with people in Gaza and the West Bank, spoke about his belief in equal freedom and safety for all people, praised pro-Palestinian student activists, criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and attacked U.S. immigration enforcement. He followed his remarks by performing “Hind’s Hall.”
He repeated the message on the second night and specifically addressed Jewish members of the audience, saying his criticism of Israel should not be understood as criticism of Jewish people.
The comments generated significant backlash and ultimately became a factor in his removal from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. As of the latest update, Sheeran has not publicly given a detailed response to the controversy.
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║ – Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine” during his opening sets for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium. ║
║ – He spoke about Gaza, the West Bank, freedom, safety and equal treatment for all people. ║
║ – He performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall” with pro-Palestinian imagery during the shows. ║
║ – Macklemore later said his criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people and emphasized peace and equality. ║
║ – Following backlash and objections from venues, Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s tour. ║
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