New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft took an unusual step last week by intervening in the lineup of supporting acts for Ed Sheeran’s concert at Gillette Stadium, outside Boston. Kraft, who has a longstanding relationship with Sheeran—including hosting the musician at his wedding in 2022—raised concerns about the inclusion of American rapper Macklemore on the bill. Kraft objected to Macklemore’s use of the tour as a platform to accuse Israel of genocide, describing the rapper’s comments as hate speech rather than free expression.
Over a 40-minute phone conversation, Kraft informed Sheeran that Macklemore would no longer be welcome to perform at the stadium. The call occurred amid growing pressure from other NFL owners, including David Tepper of the Carolina Panthers and Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons. Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie also indicated support for the move, reflecting a coordinated stance among owners of major NFL venues that commonly host high-profile concerts and sporting events.
Kraft conveyed to Sheeran that while he empathized with the plight of Palestinians, he saw Hamas—the US-designated terrorist organization—as the root cause of the conflict. He also recalled a previous 2014 controversy in which Macklemore faced accusations of antisemitism for donning a costume featuring Jewish stereotypes, for which the rapper apologized.
Facing the risk of cancellations at key tour stops, Sheeran’s promoter opted to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates. The decision sparked further disruption as other supporting acts, including Sheeran’s backing band, withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore. This upheaval thrust Sheeran, known for his broadly appealing and nonpolitical pop, into the midst of a fraught debate over free speech and the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, Israel’s response has become a contentious issue in American politics and cultural events, from election campaigns to entertainment venues. Sheeran’s concerts have been highly lucrative, with roughly $1.9 billion grossed and nearly 21 million tickets sold since 2008, highlighting the significant stakes involved.
In a public statement, Kraft emphasized that condemning Hamas and antisemitism need not conflict with acknowledging Palestinian suffering. Macklemore, who released a song earlier this year titled “Hind’s Hall” accusing Israel of genocide and expressing support for pro-Palestinian protesters, used his September performances at MetLife Stadium as platforms to voice his views, reportedly saying “Free Palestine” during his set. Despite assurances that he would omit political content, Macklemore resumed these messages the following night, reiterating his position while emphasizing that criticism of Israel does not equate to criticism of Jewish people.
Sheeran, who said in an Instagram post that his music has united diverse audiences and that fans do not expect a political forum at his shows, stated that Macklemore’s removal was a decision made by the promoter after venue owners expressed their concerns. Messina Touring, responsible for managing the tour, confirmed that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining support dates.
Macklemore responded to the controversy on social media, announcing that he would donate his estimated $1 million share of tour proceeds to organizations supporting Palestinians. Kraft also pledged to match Sheeran’s $2 million commitment to aid efforts in the region.
In a candid Instagram post, Macklemore reflected on his discussions with Sheeran, acknowledging the challenges the situation posed for the otherwise apolitical artist. He described Sheeran as caught in a difficult position, constrained by his public image. Meanwhile, Sheeran affirmed his intention to maintain his private stance on the conflict, stating that while he holds personal views on the tragedy, he chooses not to comment publicly.