The billionaire owner of a stadium reportedly spearheading the removal of Macklemore as Ed Sheeran’s opening act due to his pro-Palestinian statements during a performance is now contributing $2 million US to support the region. This development follows Macklemore’s announcement of a $1 million US donation from his tour earnings to aid Palestinians, including support for the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees. Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium, mentioned that Sheeran had asked him to match a $2 million US donation made by Sheeran before Macklemore issued the challenge.
Kraft did not specify the destination of his donation in the statement, but emphasized his longstanding support for initiatives fostering opportunities for Palestinians and promoting collaboration between young Palestinians and Israelis in business ventures. Macklemore, known as Benjamin Hammond Haggery, had been set to open for Sheeran on the Loop Tour but revealed in an Instagram post that he was removed from the remaining shows following his vocal support for Palestinians during a concert at MetLife Stadium.
Macklemore’s advocacy for Palestine on stage drew criticism from pro-Israel organizations, leading to a petition seeking his removal. Allegedly, Kraft influenced the decision to drop Macklemore from the tour and even coordinated with other stadium owners to threaten concert cancellations if Macklemore was not removed from the lineup. In response, Sheeran clarified that the promoter, not him, made the call to remove Macklemore from the tour. Subsequently, all remaining supporting acts for Sheeran also withdrew from the tour in solidarity.
The Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe were slated to replace Macklemore as opening acts for Sheeran’s remaining U.S. tour dates. Finneas, an American singer closely associated with Billie Eilish, was set to open for Sheeran on several South American tour stops. Beoga, an Irish folk band, had been part of Sheeran’s performance lineup since the tour commenced in January in New Zealand.
In a show of support, Finneas emphasized the importance of artists speaking out for the oppressed without fear of censorship. Graham indirectly criticized Kraft’s influence, asserting that wealth should not dictate who has a voice or which forms of suffering deserve acknowledgment. Sheeran has not addressed the situation publicly since the supporting acts exited the tour, and his representative and the tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, have not responded to requests for comments.