Macklemore skips US tour over Palestine support
The gist
Seattle rapper Macklemore says nine major US arenas turned down his Free Palestine benefit tour.
The tour played three sold-out European shows instead, putting artist censorship in focus.
How it unfolded
- Sep 2026Macklemore was removed as a support act from Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour after several stadium operators, led by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, objected to his pro-Palestine remarks.
- Sep 16, 2026All supporting acts for Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour quit in solidarity with Macklemore.
- Mid-Sep 2026Macklemore's team received available dates at nine major US arenas through the end of the year, but once venues learned the shows were Palestine benefit shows, the dates were "suddenly off the table," he said.
Key terms
- arenas
- A concert tour performed in large enclosed venues with tiered seating around a central event space.
- promoter
- A person or company that organizes a live concert tour or special event and contracts with the artist.
- MSG Entertainment
- American entertainment holding company based in New York City, controlled by the family of the late Charles Dolan.
Source: Wikipedia