Rapper Macklemore says nine US arenas refused his Free Palestine tour
The gist
Rapper Macklemore said nine US arenas turned away his Free Palestine benefit tour after dates were offered.
The venues' silence leaves his claim untested and the US leg in doubt.
How it unfolded
- Sep 14, 2026Macklemore said on Instagram he had been dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over pro-Palestinian comments made earlier that month onstage at MetLife Stadium; several US venues told the promoter they would bar him as Sheeran's opening act.
- Sep 17, 2026He was removed from the rest of Sheeran's stadium tour; he had been slated for eight of the 10 remaining US-leg shows, starting Sept. 19 in Philadelphia.
- Sep 2026The promoter of the US leg said booked venues told them they 'will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup'; Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft confirmed his venue's stance.
Key terms
- House of Lords
- The upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, meeting in the Palace of Westminster in London.
- US leg
- One part of a concert tour covering cities in the United States.
Source: Wikipedia