Macklemore to donate $1m Sheeran tour pay to Palestinian aid groups
Macklemore will donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from opening on Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinian people. He announced the pledge in a statement published on Sept. 16, and used it to challenge billionaire Robert Kraft to match the amount.
Net earnings, the pay left after tour costs are deducted, came from his slot as opening act, the performer who plays before the headliner. Macklemore said the full $1 million will be split across six recipients, Billboard reported.
The six groups are Palestine Children's Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera. The statement did not give a timetable for the payments or a breakdown by organisation.
The challenge was directed at Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Macklemore invited him to add a further $1 million for the same groups.
"Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting," Macklemore said, The Guardian reported.
The pledge follows Macklemore's removal from the tour. Messina Touring Group, the promoter, the company that books venues and organises dates, announced on Sept. 14 that he would not perform on the remaining Loop Tour dates after venues said they would not allow a concert with him on the line-up.
Macklemore alleged that Kraft had threatened to cancel Loop Tour shows at Gillette Stadium unless he was dropped from the bill. Kraft confirmed he made the decision to bar Macklemore from opening for Sheeran at the stadium, Rolling Stone reported.
Kraft said he acted to prevent Gillette Stadium from being used as "a platform for hate speech" while acknowledging the suffering of innocent Palestinians. Macklemore was removed after making "free Palestine" remarks while opening for Sheeran, according to earlier reporting on the dispute.
Sheeran said the removal was the promoter's decision, not his own. Separate reporting said supporting acts quit the tour after Macklemore was removed over his onstage comments.
Macklemore has previously released pro-Palestinian music, including enlisting Palestinian artists for 'Hind's Hall 2', and drew criticism in 2024 for a 'F—k America' comment at a benefit concert called Palestine Will Live Forever.
What matters now is simple. The tour moves on without him. The $1 million is committed elsewhere.
