Timeline: How the Ed Sheeran-Macklemore tour row unfolded

The controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour began when US rapper Macklemore used his performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to speak in support of Palestinians. Macklemore introduced his protest song Hind’s Hall and showed images from Gaza on screens during the show, which was dedicated to pro-Palestinian student protests in the US.

After the show, he addressed the conflict directly to Jewish members of the audience and reiterated that his criticism of Israel was not directed at Jewish people, but rather aimed at achieving peace, love, and equality for all human beings.

Following Macklemore's remarks, the Messina Touring Group announced that venues on the upcoming US leg of the tour would not allow concerts to take place with him on the bill. Sheeran, in turn, said that four acts, including Irish bands Aaron Rowe and Beoga, US musician Finneas, and Danish band Lukas Graham, had withdrawn from upcoming shows due to the controversy. Macklemore subsequently announced that he would no longer perform on the remaining US dates of the tour.

Macklemore and Sheeran held a series of difficult conversations in the days following the New Jersey shows. Sheeran expressed his appalled reaction to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, describing the suffering and pain caused on both sides as a human tragedy. Macklemore, however, rejected suggestions that his criticism of Israel amounted to criticism of Jewish people.

The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for Sheeran and the Loop Tour organizers to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates, arguing that the issue was the one-sided political agenda represented by Macklemore's performance. StopAntisemitism, a group critical of Macklemore's comments, also shared posts related to the controversy on their social media platforms.

In response, Pink, a Jewish singer, published a statement expressing her objection to the performance's aspects that frightened her and people she loved, emphasizing that Palestinians deserved a future that respected their humanity and aspirations, and that innocent lives should be protected.

Ultimately, Macklemore decided to withdraw from the remaining US dates of the Loop Tour, citing the venues' refusal to host concerts with him on the bill due to the perceived hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric.