Macklemore has been pulled from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, according to Rolling Stone , after venues told the tour’s promoter it would refuse to host shows involving the rapper after he made “free Palestine” remarks at two shows in New York this month.

Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Sheeran’s tour, said in a statement to Rolling Stone that venues on upcoming dates “will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans.”

Stadiums including Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, were among those that reportedly objected to Macklemore’s inclusion as the tour is scheduled to resume Friday in Philadelphia.

Messina Touring Group made the decision to remove Macklemore after “discussions with stakeholders,” Rolling Stone reported.

Macklemore said during Sheeran’s New York show on Sept. 4 that one of the reasons he joined the tour was because it allowed him to “stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’”

The comment was made as an introduction to his song “Hind’s Hall,” a song supporting pro-Palestinian protests that took place at Columbia University a few years ago during which protesters renamed Columbia’s Hamilton Hall to “Hind’s Hall” in honor of Hind Rajab, a young girl who was killed in Gaza in 2024.

Pro-Israel groups including StopAntisemitism and the Israeli American Council blasted Macklemore’s set, with the latter organization circulating a petition demanding Sheeran cut him from the lineup.

Forbes has reached out to The Messina Group for comment.

It is unclear if Sheeran has supported or opposed Macklemore’s removal from the tour. Sheeran has not publicly commented on the removal or given a statement to a news outlet, nor has he been a vocal supporter of Palestinians or Israel in the past.

Macklemore defended his comments following the initial remarks, telling Jewish attendees during another show, “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you,” saying his comments were made “for peace, love and for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.” The rapper has championed many social causes throughout his career and has openly supported Palestinians since 2023. He attended a demonstration in support of Palestinians in 2024, marching alongside protesters who gathered at intersections near the 96th Academy Awards. That same year, he released “Hind’s Hall,” accusing Israel of genocide and donating proceeds from the song to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. He also performed at a “Palestine Will Live Forever” benefit concert in Seattle.

Macklemore Defends ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks At Ed Sheeran Concert Despite Growing Backlash (Forbes)