Gaza Genocide · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Macklemore Chants “Free Palestine” at MetLife Stadium, Faces Backlash Before Ed Sheeran Shows
Macklemore chanted 'Free Palestine' during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey. Backlash includes calls for his removal from the tour and condemnations by multiple groups.
Whether the original onstage set felt like a political rally to attendees.
3 of 4 outlets skipped it: ticket buyers asked Ticketmaster for refunds.
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CBS News
“the Friday event feel more like a one-sided political rally than an evening of music about love.”Read the original ↗
The Hollywood Reporter
“This was an Ed Sheeran concert – not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event”Read the original ↗
It pits attendee experience against the petition group's characterisation.
MetLife Stadium Backlash
Rapper Macklemore used his opening performance for Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday (Sept. 4) and Saturday (Sept. 5) to chant “Free Palestine,” drawing backlash from Jewish organizations and some concert goers.
“A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’”
Billboard reported that during Friday’s set he told the crowd, “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’”
CBS News described how some attendees said the moment made the event feel more like “a one-sided political rally than an evening of music about love,” with Long Island resident Lauren Chizner saying the “huge screen” showed “free Palestine.”C
CBS News also quoted Israeli American Nili Genuth saying, “I don't need any political comment, even if you're on my side,” as she left and returned during Macklemore’s set after he repeated the speech on Saturday.C
Petition and Counterclaims
In response to Macklemore’s onstage remarks and his performance of “Hind’s Hall,” the Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for his removal from the remainder of the tour, arguing it was “not a political rally, not a protest, and not an activist event.”
Billboard said the petition sought Macklemore’s removal from the next eight U.S. stadium shows he’s slated to open for Sheeran through early November, and it framed the issue as where to draw “the line” when an opening act advances what it described as a “one-sided political agenda.”
Macklemore posted on X on Monday, writing “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial,” and Billboard reported he shared video of his Saturday speech.
BBC News reported that in a video posted on Monday, Macklemore said, “Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, is in no way a criticism of you.”
What Happens Next
The dispute over Macklemore’s Gaza-related statements continued as he reiterated his message onstage and online, while Sheeran’s team did not provide a response in the reporting.
“is also scheduled to join Sheeran at further US dates in the coming weeks”
BBC News said Ed Sheeran has been on his Loop tour in support of his latest album Play since January, and it reported that Macklemore “is also scheduled to join Sheeran at further US dates in the coming weeks.”
Billboard reported that Macklemore confronted his fears about speaking on a large platform, saying, “And if I let that fear I felt on the plane yesterday stop me from speaking my heart in order to keep my own comfort and the audience’s comfort, that is the day I no longer continue to be on stage,” before continuing his chants.
CBS News also noted that Ed Sheeran and his team did not return multiple requests for comment, while it reported that CBS News New York reached out to MetLife stadium for comment and did not hear back.C