Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has turned into the biggest story in music this week. Macklemore was dropped from the U.S. run on September 14, just two shows after performing“Hind’s Hall”and saying“Free Palestine”at MetLife Stadium. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition against him, and pressure from venues, including Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, sealed the decision. The promoter said venues simply would not allow shows with Macklemore on the lineup.
Sheeran responded by defending his neutral approach, saying he doesn’t take sides and wants his concerts to be“a place of safety and sanctuary”for everyone. But the peace didn’t hold. Within hours, his remaining openers — Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Beoga — all dropped out in solidarity with Palestine, leaving the tour’s undercard gutted.
Macklemore’s own response was direct:“There is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”The whole situation raises big questions about free speech, celebrity activism, and how much control venues have over who gets to perform. So we want to hear from you: should concerts be a politics-free space, or is that a thing of the past?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.