{
  "id": 7675512,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran says Macklemore tour exit wasn’t his call after ‘Free Palestine’ remarks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-says-macklemore-tour-exit-wasnt-his-call-after-free",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:56:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/showbiz/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-says-macklemore-tour-exit-wasnt-his-call-after-free-palestine-remarks/235356"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LONDON, Sept 16 — In a lengthy Instagram post, British singer Ed Sheeran denied he was responsible for removing Macklemore from his tour following the rapper's pro-Palestinian remarks. Sheeran stated that the promoter, Messina Touring Group, ended Macklemore's contract. The US rapper, who was opening for Sheeran's \"Loop Tour\", shouted \"Free Palestine!\" and stated Palestinians were \"not forgotten\" during two concerts earlier this month at the MetLife Stadium near New York. Sheeran explained that venues on his tour informed him they would cancel the shows if Macklemore continued to perform. Despite Sheeran's efforts to resolve the issue with event owner Robert Kraft, he was unable to do so. Sheeran also discussed his stance on not commenting publicly on political issues, like the war in Gaza. He emphasized that his silence does not mean he is indifferent and respected Macklemore's stance. Macklemore later tweeted that Sheeran and his team were not involved in his removal from the tour, alleging that Kraft and other venues demanded his exclusion. Kraft confirmed that Gillette Stadium would not host performances with hate speech.",
  "summary": "LONDON, Sept 16 — British star Ed Sheeran yesterday denied being behind a decision to remove Macklemore from his t...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore from US concert tour was not his decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-dropping-macklemore-from-us-concert-tour-was-not-his",
        "published": "2026-09-15T21:46:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran’s Americas tour in trouble as opening acts quit over Macklemore’s removal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheerans-americas-tour-in-trouble-as-opening-acts-quit-over",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:11:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran's support acts quit US tour after Macklemore dropped",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheerans-support-acts-quit-us-tour-after-macklemore-dropped",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:43:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran denies being behind Macklemore removal from US tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-denies-being-behind-macklemore-removal-from-us-tour",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:53:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran breaks silence after Macklemore dropped from tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-breaks-silence-after-macklemore-dropped-from-tour",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran’s opening acts pull out of tour after Macklemore dumped",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheerans-opening-acts-pull-out-of-tour-after-macklemore-dumped",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:11:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "All supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in protest of Macklemore’s removal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/all-supporting-acts-quit-ed-sheeran-tour-in-protest-of-macklemores",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Supporting acts pull out of Ed Sheeran's tour over dropping Macklemore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/supporting-acts-pull-out-of-ed-sheerans-tour-over-dropping-macklemore",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran Tour in Turmoil as Support Acts Quit After Macklemore Exit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-tour-in-turmoil-as-support-acts-quit-after-macklemore-exit",
        "published": "2026-09-16T02:39:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore from US concert tour was not his decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-says-dropping-macklemore-from-us-concert-tour-was-not-his",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:18:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}