Benjamin Haggerty, known professionally as Macklemore, faced backlash after inserting political commentary into his opening performances on Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour. During shows on Friday and Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the rapper addressed the audience with messages advocating for Palestine and criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Before performing, Haggerty told the crowd he wanted residents of Gaza and the occupied West Bank to feel remembered. “I believe that every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom,” he stated, delivering similar remarks at both dates.
The performance prompted the Israeli American Council to create an online petition urging Sheeran to drop Macklemore from the remainder of the tour. The petition argued that Sheeran’s concerts should remain distinct from political rallies, asking where the boundary lies when an opening act utilizes a major concert platform to push a specific political agenda.
Macklemore has previously expressed these views through music, notably releasing “Hind’s Hall” in 2024, a track critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, with proceeds directed toward UNRWA humanitarian efforts.
Reactions from attendees were divided. Some fans reported leaving the venue, accusing the artist of antisemitism and complaining about the unexpected political nature of the event. Conversely, other supporters took to social media to defend the remarks, emphasizing that music has historically served as a significant avenue for human rights advocacy.
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