Coverage dated September 6, 2026 to September 8, 2026

Macklemore Defends 'Free Palestine' Remarks At Ed Sheeran Concert Despite Growing Backlash

Headline from Forbes, on the newest of 2 developments

The rapper chanted "Free Palestine" and performed “Hind's Hall,” his pro-Palestine anthem, while opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium.

Forbes's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Ed Sheeran’s N.J. concerts spark fury for opener Macklemore's ‘Free Palestine’ messaging

    Headline from NJ.com / Star-Ledger ·

  2. Newest

    Macklemore Defends 'Free Palestine' Remarks At Ed Sheeran Concert Despite Growing Backlash

    Headline from Forbes ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

11 articles, oldest first.

  1. New York Post

    Woke rapper Macklemore sparks fury over anti-Israel rant at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife show (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    Macklemore made calls to “Free Palestine” and accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza at the New Jersey Meadowlands show.

  2. Deadline

    Macklemore Sparks Petition For His Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour Over “Free Palestine” Plea (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    Macklemore is the latest celebrity to face backlash over his “Free Palestine” onstage public plea while opening for Ed Sheeran this weekend. After the 4x Grammy winner took the stage for Sheeran’s Loop Tour on Friday night at MetLife Stadium, where he called for “safety and peace” for all before per…

  3. Breitbart News

    Video: ‘F**k America’ Rapper Macklemore Sparks Refund Calls Over His Anti-Israel Tirade at Ed Sheeran Concert (opens Breitbart News)

    Published

    Breitbart News's feed description

    Left-wing rapper Macklemore took on immediate backlash from audience members and fans who wanted a refund of their ticket after the rapper launched into an anti-American, pro Hamas rant on stage during Friday's Ed Sheeran concert in New Jersey.

  4. Variety

    Macklemore Calls Out ‘Free Palestine’ Onstage, Spurring Petition Demanding He Leave Ed Sheeran Tour (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    Macklemore opened for Ed Sheeran on Friday night in New Jersey at the MetLife Stadium, and during his set the rapper sang out “Free Palestine” before launching into a speech, telling the audience he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.

  5. The Hollywood Reporter

    Petition Calls for Macklemore’s Removal From Ed Sheeran’s Tour After Rapper’s “Free Palestine” Onstage Plea (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

    Published

    The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

    Macklemore also performed his protest song "Hind’s Hall" while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium.

  6. NJ.com / Star-Ledger

    Ed Sheeran’s N.J. concerts spark fury for opener Macklemore's ‘Free Palestine’ messaging (opens NJ.com / Star-Ledger)

    Published

    NJ.com / Star-Ledger's feed description

    Jewish and Israeli advocacy groups say concertgoers bought tickets for a musical act and not to be blindsided by politics.

  7. Deadline

    Macklemore Emphasizes “Free Palestine” Pleas Are “In No Way A Criticism” Of Jewish People: “My Message Is For Peace” (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    Macklemore is making his stance clear as he doubles down on his onstage “Free Palestine” pleas during Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. While opening for night two of Sheeran’s New Jersey stop at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, the 4x Grammy winner responded to the outcry around his onstage words the night befor…

  8. Variety

    Macklemore Says His Call to ‘Free Palestine’ Is Not a ‘Criticism’ of Jewish People: ‘None of Us Will Be Free Until We Are All Free’ (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    Macklemore is speaking out about his call to “Free Palestine,” which the rapper made while opening for Ed Sheeran on Friday night at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism o…

  9. The Hollywood Reporter

    Macklemore Responds to Backlash Over “Free Palestine” Plea: “Wanting All Humans to Be Treated Equal Should Never Be Controversial” (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

    Published

    The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

    On Sunday, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition, calling for the rapper's removal from the remaining tour dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour.

  10. Al Jazeera

    Macklemore defends ‘Free Palestine’ call after Ed Sheeran concert backlash (opens Al Jazeera)

    Published

    Al Jazeera's feed description

    Macklemore is facing backlash from pro-Israel groups after saying ‘Free Palestine’ while opening for Ed Sheeran.

  11. Forbes

    Macklemore Defends 'Free Palestine' Remarks At Ed Sheeran Concert Despite Growing Backlash (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    The rapper chanted "Free Palestine" and performed “Hind's Hall,” his pro-Palestine anthem, while opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium.

Macklemore Defends 'Free Palestine' Remarks At Ed Sheeran Concert Despite Growing Backlash | Since Then