Updated 1w+ ago · Entertainment
Ed Sheeran Drops Macklemore from Tour Over Gaza Stance.
Resale prices for Macklemore's October 22 Red Rocks concert rose 35–45% in days after his removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour. Sheeran's remaining tour dates saw resale prices drop at nine of ten venues over the same period.
- 45% price drop at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field show, to $75, as of Friday midday.
- Macklemore announced he will donate $1 million in tour earnings to Palestinian aid organizations.
- Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga all withdrew from the tour after Macklemore's removal.
- Classic Hits Radio in Ireland stopped playing Sheeran's music for the 'foreseeable future.'
Why it matters: The dispute began September 4–5 when Macklemore performed his song Hind's Hall and spoke in support of Palestinians at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Israeli American Council published a petition calling for his removal days later.
- Promoters and venue owners — including Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium — told tour organizers they would not allow shows to proceed with Macklemore on the bill.
- Sheeran said the removal was the promoters' decision, not his, and cited his policy of keeping politics off his professional platform.
How 66 sources split on this story
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Factuality
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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
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66 sources · 139 articles · 50% Center coverage
Where they split: Whether Sheeran bears personal responsibility for Macklemore's removal or was constrained by venue owners and promoters acting independently.
Center coverage, 33 sources: The center focuses on market data — rising Macklemore prices, falling Sheeran prices, increased resale volume — and notes the data's limits in separating controversy from routine trends.
CNBC1w+Ticket prices rise for Macklemore solo concert after Ed Sheeran tour removalTMZ1w+Ed Sheeran Reveals He Removed His B Stage at Philly Concert Because He Was AfraidBillboard1w+Ed Sheeran Addresses Controversy at First Show Since Openers, Backing Band Dropped Off Tour, Calls It ‘The Best Show of My Life’Forbes1w+The Macklemore And Ed Sheeran Situation Explained [Updated]abc27 (WHTM)1w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’ as he opens solo concertCTV News1w+Ed Sheeran: Israel’s treatment of Gazans ‘unjustifiable,’ apologizes for Macklemore controversyDeadline1w+Ed Sheeran Admits To “Making Mistakes” With Macklemore, Calls Out “Systemic Injustice” In Gaza: “I’m So, So Sorry”Newsweek1w+Ed Sheeran Weeps as He Addresses Macklemore Backlash at ConcertUSA Today1w+Ed Sheeran speaks out in Philly, says controversy 'put me in the middle'Deutsche Welle1w+Ed Sheeran speaks on Gaza after Macklemore controversyFrance 241w+Ed Sheeran calls Gaza war catastrophic after dropping Macklemore over pro-Palestinian commentsJerusalem Post1w+Ed Sheeran's fans back singer after controversy over Macklemore, PalestiniansPennLive1w+What Ed Sheeran told fans before playing a single song in PhiladelphiaTimes of Israel1w+Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ amid ongoing outcry over Macklemore’s ousterWKBN Youngstown1w+Watch: Ed Sheeran opens solo concert with remarks, calls situation in Palestine ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’Associated Press1w+Sheeran returns to stage first time since Macklemore cut...Axios1w+Ed Sheeran tour drama comes to Philly this weekendBBC News1w+Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy at Philadelphia showFortune1w+Before getting dropped by Ed Sheeran, Macklemore had long supported Palestinians, and his latest gift catalyzed YouTube star Ms. Rachel to donate | FortuneHeavy1w+Ed Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium Concerts Face Major Shakeup Days Before ShowsJapan Times1w+Pop star Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ following controversyKXAN Austin1w+Watch: Ed Sheeran opens solo concert with remarks, calls situation in Palestine ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’NPR1w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens solo concertPBS NewsHour1w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens concertReuters1w+Ed Sheeran's fans back singer after controversy over Macklemore, PalestiniansSky News1w+Ed Sheeran breaks silence at first concert after Macklemore Palestine rowSnopes1w+Did Spotify remove Ed Sheeran's music from its platform?The Hill1w+Ed Sheeran calls situation in Palestine ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’ at solo concertThe National Desk1w+Ed Sheeran apologizes to fans during Philadelphia show amid Israel-Palestine controversyWESH 2 News1w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens solo concertWFLA News Channel 81w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens solo concertWSB-TV Atlanta1w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’ as he opens solo concertYahoo News1w+Every act on Ed Sheeran's tour has quit. His next show is tomorrow.
Left coverage, 19 sources: The left frames Sheeran as complicit in silencing pro-Palestinian speech and focuses on the protests and solidarity withdrawals as legitimate accountability pressure.
The Independent1w+Piers Morgan criticises Ed Sheeran’s tearful concert apology: ‘He needs better advisors’The Guardian1w+‘I feel betrayed’: inside Ed Sheeran’s controversial return to the stageRolling Stone1w+Ed Sheeran Breaks Silence on Israel-Gaza at First Show Amid Tour Controversy: ‘I Cannot Hide How I Feel About It Anymore’The Philadelphia Inquirer1w+Ed Sheeran addresses Gaza and Macklemore controversy at Philly tour stopVariety1w+Ed Sheeran Speaks Out About Macklemore On StageAl Jazeera1w+Ed Sheeran calls Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ after Palestine controversyLos Angeles Times1w+Ed Sheeran, at concert, says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable'ABC News1w+Ed Sheeran apologizes for 'making mistakes,' says situation in Gaza is 'unjustifiable'Boston.com1w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens concertCleveland.com1w+What Ed Sheeran told fans before playing a single song in PhiladelphiaCNN1w+Ed Sheeran is set to return to stage for 1st time since Macklemore was cut and other acts withdrewComplex1w+Ed Sheeran Breaks Silence on Gaza During Concert After Macklemore Tour OustingHollywood Reporter1w+Ed Sheeran Says “What Is Happening in Gaza Is Catastrophic” While Addressing Macklemore Backlash During Philadelphia Tour StopMediaite1w+Ed Sheeran Chokes Up While Calling Israel’s Actions in Gaza ‘Unjustifiable’ in First Concert Since Macklemore Was Dumped from His TourMSNBC1w+Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’ as he opens concertNBC News1w+Ed Sheeran calls situation in Gaza ‘unjustifiable’ in first concert since Macklemore controversyThe American Prospect1w+Macklemore vs. Everybody - The American ProspectThe Boston Globe1w+Ed Sheeran set to return to stage for 1st time since Macklemore was cutThe New York Times1w+Ed Sheeran Addresses War in Gaza After Macklemore is Dropped From Tour
Right coverage, 14 sources: The right emphasizes the financial damage to Sheeran's tour and highlights Macklemore's remarks about ICE alongside his Gaza comments, framing the controversy as a cautionary tale about politicized concert performances.
The Western Journal1w+Irish Radio Station Bans Ed Sheeran's Music After Anti-Israel Rapper Is Removed from US TourDaily Mail1w+Kyle Sandilands blasts Macklemore as a 'soft leftie' after rapper was dropped from Ed Sheeran tour over Palestine stance: 'Can't fill a stadium'New York Post1w+Ed Sheeran breaks down in tears as he returns to the stage for first show after Macklemore controversy: 'I'm so, so sorry'The Sun1w+Devastated Ed Sheeran reveals his own family ‘ABANDONED’ him amid Palestine row as he considered quitting pop careerFox News1w+READ IT: Ed Sheeran's pre-concert speech to Philly crowd about the Gaza controversyBreitbart News1w+Ed Sheeran Addresses Macklemore Scandal: ‘Oct. 7 Was Horrific, Compounded Centuries of Jewish Pain. What Is Happening in Gaza Is Unjustifiable’The Epoch Times1w+Ed Sheeran Apologizes for Macklemore Controversy as He Opens ConcertThe Washington Times1w+Ed Sheeran delays start time of Philadelphia concert amid Macklemore falloutNTD1w+Ed Sheeran Apologizes for Macklemore Controversy as He Opens ConcertRedState1w+Sigh: Ed Sheeran Caves to the Pressure From Left in New Statement About War in GazaThe Gateway Pundit1w+WHAT A COWARD: British Singer Ed Sheeran CRIES on Stage as He Takes a Shot at Trump’s America – Also Caves to Anti-Israel Mob on Gaza (VIDEO) * The Gateway Pundit * by Cullen LinebargerThe Post Millennial1w+Ed Sheeran speaks out against ‘horrific’ Oct 7 massacre, ‘unjustifiable’ actions in Gaza in first appearance since Macklemore’s ousterThe Telegraph1w+Sheeran braces for pro-Palestine protest at Philadelphia concert...Washington Examiner1w+Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy in pre-concert speech
What’s next: Pro-Palestinian groups the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z plan protests at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19.
- Philadelphia police confirmed increased patrols and coordination with Sheeran's team around the venue.
- 18 remaining tour dates are scheduled through December, ending in Mexico City.
- Will Sheeran cancel or continue the remaining U.S. dates after the Philadelphia show?
- How much of the ticket price movement reflects the controversy versus standard pre-show market patterns?
- Who, if anyone, will replace the withdrawn supporting acts for the remaining dates?
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