An opening slot on Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour vanished for Macklemore after onstage Free Palestine remarks. The removal was not announced by the artist or the headliner. Venues told promoters the shows could not proceed with him on the bill. That is how deplatforming now works.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour?
- A: He was dropped after making onstage Free Palestine remarks. Venues reportedly told promoters the shows could not proceed with him on the bill, with no public announcement from Ed Sheeran or Macklemore.
- Q: Who decided to remove Macklemore from the tour?
- A: The removal was not announced by the artists. Industry reporting points to venues, promoters, sponsors and insurers pressuring the cancellation behind the scenes.
- Q: What does this case show about artist political speech?
- A: It shows deplatforming can happen quietly through venue refusals and risk assessments, creating hidden costs for political expression in live entertainment.