Rapper Macklemore is a vocal supporter of Palestine and Gaza residents. During a recent concert at MetLife Stadium, he yelled “Free Palestine!” onstage, projected images of devastation in the area, and performed protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
Now, it seems that American venues are not willing to play ball with the Seattle artist, and he has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
“After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates,” according to Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Loop Tour. This news follows backlash from organizations like StopAntisemitism and others, such as pop star Pink.
His record label had the leverage and chose not to use it. There’s very little say the artists themselves actually have in these kinds of things.
This isn’t some starving artist we’re talking about here. This guy already has more money than you’ll make in your entire life working an honest job.
Does that give him any more agency in what transpires between his record label and the venues where he’s booked?
Yes it does. His fan base is what shows up and pays money in the first place.
He already has a name, time to cut loose?
All them big name artists could put their money where their mouth isn’t and build a venue, i’m sure it wouldn’t make Bono any poorer.
This is, actually not a bad idea. Someone send this to someone like Jack White. Get together a bunch of top musicians to actually fund the creation of a network of publicly owned venues. They can share resources and even pay artists real wages for performances. Call it a public option. Just needs the seed money
You realize their record labels hold all their IP, don’t you? So they cut loose and go indie and build a venue. What happens when their old label tells them they can’t play any of their music?
Didn’t Taylor Swift have similar issues?
I’m guessing bad publicity would be a deterrent for those labels. I guess poor ol’ Ed would have to create new stuff too.