{
  "id": 7685857,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran-Macklemore ‘Free Palestine’ controversy: Here is everything that happened on the Loop Tour",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-macklemore-free-palestine-controversy-here-is-everything",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-16T02:12:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/ed-sheeran-macklemore-free-palestine-controversy-here-is-everything-that-happened-on-the-loop-tour-11789524196076.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Loop Tour of Ed Sheeran has become embroiled in controversy following rapper Macklemore's removal from the US leg due to his pro-Palestinian remarks during his opening performances. Macklemore performed at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on September 4, using his set to advocate for Palestinians. He referenced the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, and argued against singling out Jewish people for criticism of Israel. However, his remarks faced criticism from various groups who accused him of using a major concert platform to promote a political message. The Israeli-American Council even launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the tour. Despite Macklemore's defense of his stance, several other acts withdrew from the tour, including Pink, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish group Beoga. The promoter of Sheeran's US tour, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining support dates due to venues' refusal to host him. Sheeran stated that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his own but that of the promoter after venues indicated they would cancel shows if he remained on the lineup.",
  "summary": "Macklemore was removed from the US leg of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage. Sheeran has since said the decision was made by promoters and venues, while several supporting acts have withdrawn from the tour.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran tour controversy: Finneas, Aaron Rowe quit after Macklemore is removed over Free Palestine remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-tour-controversy-finneas-aaron-rowe-quit-after-macklemore",
        "published": "2026-09-15T22:05:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}