During Ed Sheeran's recent concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, 2026, opening act Macklemore delivered a performance that has sparked significant controversy. The rapper wore a keffiyeh, projected images of Gaza on the stadium screens, and performed his 2024 protest song "Hind's Hall," which criticizes Israel's actions in Gaza. He also vocalized support for Palestinians, stating, "I want the people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they are not forgotten. Every single human being on this earth deserves the same freedom—to know the sounds of safety and peace before they know the sounds of violence." (wireisrael.com)
This politically charged performance led to immediate backlash from some attendees and organizations. The Israeli-American Council (IAC) launched a petition urging Ed Sheeran and tour organizers to remove Macklemore from the remaining tour dates, arguing that fans paid for a concert, not a political rally. (tmz.com)
Pop star Pink also weighed in on the controversy by sharing a post from the advocacy group StopAntisemitism on her Instagram Story. The post criticized Macklemore's performance, describing it as "awful" and calling for apologies and refunds for concertgoers. Pink did not add her own commentary but amplified the criticism by sharing the post with her 12 million followers. (israelhayom.com)
In response to the backlash, Macklemore clarified his intentions, stating that his message was about supporting Palestinian freedom and opposing the suffering of civilians, not criticizing Jewish people. He emphasized that the desire for all humans to be treated equally should not be controversial. (tmz.com)
As of now, Ed Sheeran has not publicly addressed the controversy or the calls for Macklemore's removal from the tour. The situation continues to unfold, with debates over the intersection of music and political expression at the forefront.