A wealthy stadium owner reportedly spearheaded the decision to remove Macklemore as the opening act for Ed Sheeran due to his pro-Palestinian remarks during a performance. Following this, the stadium owner, Robert Kraft, has pledged a $2 million donation to aid the region. This announcement followed Macklemore’s commitment to donate $1 million from his tour earnings to six organizations supporting Palestinians, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Kraft mentioned that Sheeran had requested him to match a $2 million donation before Macklemore’s challenge.
Macklemore, also known as Benjamin Hammond Haggery, was dropped from the tour after voicing support for Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which drew criticism from pro-Israel groups. He accused Kraft of orchestrating his removal and influencing other stadium owners to threaten concert cancellations if he continued on the tour.
Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and not him. Consequently, all remaining supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour decided to quit in solidarity. Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, American singer Finneas, and Irish folk band Beoga were slated to replace Macklemore on the tour.
In response to the controversy, Finneas emphasized the importance of artists speaking up for the oppressed, while Graham implied criticism towards Kraft, stating that financial status should not dictate who can voice opinions or acknowledge suffering.
As of now, Sheeran has not made any public statements following the departure of the supporting acts, and neither he nor the tour’s promoter, Messina Touring Group, has responded to media inquiries.
