Macklemore invited to Dearborn after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud extended the invitation to the rapper on September 14
Macklemore has been invited to perform a free, city-sponsored concert in Dearborn, Michigan, after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour over his outspoken support for Palestine.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud extended the invitation to the rapper on September 14, shortly after Macklemore confirmed that he would no longer perform on the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
“If they don’t want you performing in their stadiums, you’re always welcome in Dearborn,” Hammoud wrote on social media. “Come put on a show here. We’ll make it a free concert, sponsored by the City, and help make it one of the best around.”
Macklemore was removed from the tour after venue owners reportedly told the tour promoter that they would not host shows with him on the bill. The decision followed his September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where he repeatedly chanted “Free Palestine” and performed his 2024 protest song Hind’s Hall.
The rapper later said he had several difficult conversations with Sheeran and alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had pressured the singer and other stadium owners over his participation. Kraft has defended the decision, saying his concerns relate to what he considers hate speech and rhetoric that has hurt the Jewish community.
Sheeran has since clarified that removing Macklemore was not his decision. He said the decision came from promoters and venues after several stadiums threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup. Sheeran also said he had attempted to mediate the situation while maintaining his own preference to keep his concerts politically neutral.
Macklemore, meanwhile, has maintained his support for Palestinians and said the backlash would not stop him from speaking out. He has also expressed hope that his more than decade-long friendship with Sheeran can survive their disagreement.
Hammoud’s invitation gives Macklemore the opportunity to perform in Dearborn, a Michigan city with a large Arab American population, after his remaining stadium appearances on Sheeran’s tour were cancelled. As of September 15, Macklemore had not publicly responded to the invitation.
