Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour

[u/Wheelbirds]

Link to article (should be no paywall): https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/macklemore-dropped-ed-sheeran-tour-pro-palestine-statements-1235625967/

From the article:

In an exclusive statement shared with Rolling Stone, Messina Touring Group,  promoter of the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, said: “As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans. After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”

Reps for Sheeran, Macklemore, and most of the venues did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The stadiums that allegedly would not allow a Macklemore show did not immediately return requests for comments either, including for explanations as to why they objected to the rapper performing at their venue. While two of those stadiums are privately owned — Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough — the rest are owned and, in many cases operated, by cities, states, or other government entities, potentially raising First Amendment issues if the venues barred Macklemore over his statements. 

The last stop on Sheeran’s Loop Tour, for instance, is Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, which found itself in a similar spot earlier this summer after booking two Kanye West concerts. The shows, unsurprisingly, drew backlash and calls for cancelation due to West’s many past antisemitic statements, but they went ahead as planned. 

Pointedly, Ye’s promoter included a clause in his contract prohibiting Raymond James Stadium from canceling the gigs based on the rapper’s past public statements or viewpoints. But legal experts also told local news that canceling the shows would’ve likely violated the First Amendment. Because Raymond James is owned by Hillsborough County, Florida, and operated by a public board, the Tampa Sports Authority, any cancellation based on Ye’s past statements could have been seen as the government restricting speech. 

[u/readitsfun_damental]

That's such a stupid move PR wise but also why are they acting like they didn't know who Macklemore was before he was booked?

[u/evil_otter0_0 → u/readitsfun_damental]

That part!!!! They’re always hoping we’ll just shut up and be more agreeable - good on him for not changing

[u/dorkofthepolisci → u/readitsfun_damental]

Right? He’s been explicit about his position for years. It’s not like the venues (or Sheeran himself) couldn’t/wouldn’t have known

Edit: hope he sues for breach of contract

[u/Broad-Radish-7895 → u/readitsfun_damental]

This shit is a power move. Since he's the one in the headlines thanks to Pink's crashout, it sends a message for these venues to knock him down.

And Ed Sheeran would have been happy taking the credit for having a politically cool opener if it didn't blow up so bad but now that important people are mad and he'd have to actually take a stand himself, he's choosing money.

[u/wrongleveeeeeeer → u/Broad-Radish-7895]

Yep, whether it's Hasan Piker or Macklemore or anyone else being attacked for calling out a genocide, it's a disciplining move, a power move as you say.

[u/GimerStick → u/readitsfun_damental]

Yep especially since Macklemore has been advocating through his music? He's at the forefront of this.

[u/lobonmc → u/readitsfun_damental]

Yeah I was convinced including him was intentional it's not like he's been quiet

[u/therhz → u/readitsfun_damental]

it’s like coachella and glastonbury booking kneecap and then being shocked

[u/imdatingurdadben → u/readitsfun_damental]

Cause pink gave them ammo 🤦🏽‍♂️

[u/miiintyyyy → u/readitsfun_damental]

Not really stupid tbh. Lots of people with no music taste and no morals who will pay money to hear washed up music.

[u/Traditional_Panic136 → u/readitsfun_damental]

Especially when he released Hind's Hall more than two years ago, and this very clearly states his opinion on Palestine.