{
  "id": 7691919,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T03:18:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-16-ed-sheeran-says-dropping-macklemore-from-us-concert-tour-was-not-his-decision/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran announced on Tuesday that American rapper Macklemore was removed from his U.S. concert tour, stating the decision was not his but made by the tour promoter. Macklemore's exclusion came after his pro-Palestinian statements during a concert in New Jersey on September 4. Sheeran's tour lineup, including musicians Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe, also decided to leave due to support for Macklemore and solidarity with Palestinians. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, cited venue owners refusing to host shows with Macklemore as the reason for Sheeran's removal. Macklemore, known for his pro-Palestinian stance, released a protest anthem in 2024. Sheeran expressed respect for Macklemore's stance but believed in not using his platform for political purposes. Some artists and political figures supported Macklemore's comments, while others, including Pro-Israeli groups and Pink, criticized his remarks, citing potential safety risks for Jewish and pro-Israeli individuals.",
  "summary": "Sept 15 (Reuters) - Pop star Ed Sheeran said on Tuesday dropping American rapper Macklemore from his U.S. concert tour was not Sheeran's decision but that of the tour's promoter, even as Sheeran distinguished his political approach from Macklemore's.",
  "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": "Malay Mail",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:56:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}