Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour – expert available

Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour – expert available

Macklemore has been removed from the remainder of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour due to pro Palestine comments the American rapper made at a recent concert. An RMIT music industry expert is available to comment.

Catherine Strong, Associate Professor, Music Industry: 

"Overnight, we learned that Macklemore has been removed from the support slot on Ed Sheeran’s tour.  

"Macklemore has been outspoken in his support for the Palestinian people over the last three years, and his statements on stage at Sheeran’s shows drew strong criticism from fellow musician Pink.  

"Macklemore’s removal, however, only came after stadium owners threatened to cancel Sheeran's shows scheduled at their venues. 

"Musicians have long been outspoken on a range of political issues. This deployment of corporate power to censor public statements is a concerning constraint on free speech." 

Catherine Strong is an Associate Professor in the Music Industry program in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT. Her work focuses on social justice in music and other creative work. 

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

15 September 2026

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15 September 2026

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