Overview
- Macklemore, opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 and 5, chanted “Free Palestine,” delivered an onstage speech invoking Gaza and the West Bank, and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall” with footage from Gaza on the stadium screens.
- The Israeli‑American Council launched an online petition addressed to Sheeran, tour management and promoters that urges Macklemore’s removal, asks whether his political visuals and remarks were approved in advance, and calls for clear rules about political speech on the tour stage.
- Macklemore posted video of the speech, reiterated the message onstage and emphasized that his criticism of Israel is not a criticism of Jewish people, and he remains scheduled to open additional Loop tour dates while tour leadership has not announced any action.
- Reaction among concertgoers and online was sharply divided, with some attendees saying they walked out and accusing the performance of antisemitism and others defending the rapper’s use of a large platform for human‑rights advocacy.
- The song “Hind’s Hall” was released in 2024 and directed proceeds to UNRWA, and this episode extends Macklemore’s record of public activism while putting pressure on venues, promoters and artists to define how commercial tours handle contested political expression.