Ed Sheeran Ticket Prices Dip Amid Fallout From Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' Speech

Resale ticket prices for Ed Sheeran's LOOP Tour have seen a notable decline following the removal of rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour for delivering a 'Free Palestine' speech. TicketData reported an 11 percent drop in resale prices since Monday, with prices for Sheeran's upcoming Philadelphia concert falling 25 percent on secondary resale platforms.

This decrease in ticket value follows a trend of softening prices that had already been occurring. A TicketData representative noted that a decline in the lead-up to shows is not unusual for the tour, but the current drop is pushing the limits of typical fluctuations. Pro-Palestine protests planned for the Philadelphia show may also contribute to further price adjustments.

Supporting Acts Withdraw

Following Macklemore's abrupt exit, there has been a significant exodus of scheduled supporting acts from Sheeran's tour. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga are among the artists who have quit the tour.

Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was removed from the remainder of Sheeran's LOOP Tour after making political statements during his opening sets on September 4 and 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He led chants of "Free Palestine" and delivered a speech emphasizing freedom and peace, stating that "every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom."

During his performance, Macklemore projected images of devastation in Gaza while performing his protest song "Hind's Hall." He also referred to ICE as a "terrorist organization" and voiced support for other regions, including Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and Iran.

Backlash and Boycott Calls

Macklemore's statements sparked backlash, leading to a boycott petition organized by the Israeli-American Council, which argued that a concert platform should not be used for a "one-sided political agenda."

Singer Pink also commented on the controversy by reposting an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism, which criticized Macklemore's performance as "anti-Israel propaganda" and accused him of turning a "mainstream event into a political nightmare against the Jewish state."

Macklemore has a history of voicing support for Palestinians and has been critical of Israel's conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank for years. He was seen wearing a keffiyeh during one of his performances, further fueling the debate.

Fan reactions on social media were divided, with some defending Macklemore's right to express his views and others accusing him of anti-Semitic rhetoric. Several major U.S. venues reportedly informed tour promoters they would not permit Macklemore to perform on their stages, contributing to his removal from the tour.