The “Thrift Shop” rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was one of multiple opening acts for Sheeran’s LOOP Tour at the 80,000-seat stadium in East Rutherford on Friday, Sept. 4, and Saturday, Sept. 5.

But Macklemore’s set went beyond the music, as he addressed the crowd about Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“I want the people from Gaza to the occupied West Bank to know that we have not forgotten you,” Macklemore said. “I believe that every human being walking this earth deserves the exact same freedom, to know safety and peace before knowing the sounds of violence, and to know the sound of laughter on the playground before planes and bombs.”

Macklemore said he would not let fear or concerns about his or the audience’s comfort stop him from speaking his mind. He then called for a “Free Palestine, free Cuba, the Congo, Sudan and Iran,” and denounced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a “terrorist organization.”

He performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” a reference to Columbia University protests, as images from Gaza and pro-Palestinian demonstrations appeared across the stadium screens. Macklemore delivered a similar performance Saturday.

Video from the shows captured cheers, but other concertgoers and organizations pushed back: The Israeli-American Council launched a petition on Sunday, Sept. 6, calling on Sheeran and LOOP Tour leadership to remove Macklemore from the remaining tour dates.

“Ed Sheeran – do not allow your stage to be used to divide people or spread one-sided political propaganda!”

StopAntisemitism also called for apologies and refunds: “Imagine paying $500+ to see Ed Sheeran only to be ambushed by Macklemore’s relentless anti-Israel obsession. Fans deserve apologies and refunds. Unacceptable.”

New York City father Josh Wein said on X that he brought his wife and two daughters to Friday’s show as “huge fans” of Sheeran. The family spent $180 on merchandise before leaving their seats during Macklemore’s performance, Wein said: “Then Macklemore decided to turn your concert into his political rally.”

Wein said he initially hoped Sheeran’s team had been caught off guard Friday. Macklemore’s return Saturday changed his view: “You knew exactly what Macklemore had done the night before, and you gave him the stage again. Friday might have been Macklemore’s decision. Saturday was yours.”

Bill Abate Jr. said on X that he attended Saturday’s show with his girlfriend and 34 guests in a company suite. Abate, who said he is not Jewish but some of his guests are, described himself as “embarrassed” and “shocked” and said he would no longer support Macklemore’s music.

“Very sadly you were complicit in allowing it to continue on Saturday evening,” Abate wrote to Sheeran.

“You’re better than this, Ed Sheeran. Do what’s right here.”


to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.