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Macklemore launches 'Free Palestine Tour' after exit from Ed Sheeran lineup

Rapper Macklemore has launched his own 'Free Palestine Tour' after being removed from Ed Sheeran's lineup, with outlets differing on how they characterise his removal and his political statements.

Analysis deskEditor Andersson Iyke
8 outlets, 3 regions

What happened

US rapper Macklemore has announced a 'Free Palestine Tour' after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour lineup.12345678

The tour will begin in Dublin, with dates also announced in London and Paris, and US dates said to be in the works.1236

Macklemore says all proceeds from the concerts will go to organisations supporting Palestinians.1358

Macklemore stated that 'being apolitical during a genocide doesn't work,' according to Al Jazeera English.5

What's agreed

Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.

  • Macklemore announced a 'Free Palestine Tour' after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's lineup.12345678
  • The tour begins in Dublin, with a date of October 26 given.136
  • Proceeds from the tour will go to organisations supporting Palestinians, according to Macklemore.1358
  • The tour currently includes three European dates, in London, Paris and Dublin.23

Where accounts differ

Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.

Reason and framing of Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour

Arab News

Macklemore was dropped after making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage in New Jersey.7

Sky News

Macklemore was 'controversially dropped' as Ed Sheeran's support act, without specifying a cause in the snippet.4

RTÉ News

Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's US tour, without specifying a cause in the snippet.6

The Times of Israel

Macklemore was 'dumped' from Ed Sheeran's tour, without specifying a cause in the snippet.2

How it's framed

What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.

PerspectiveHow it readsWhat it puts first
UK and Irish public/private broadcastersEuropeCoverage focuses on the factual announcement, tour proceeds and the Ed Sheeran fallout, with Sky News using more charged language around the removal.146Ed Sheeran fallout, charity proceeds, Dublin start date
Middle East and Gulf outlets, including state-controlled mediaMiddle East & TurkeyCoverage emphasises Macklemore's political statements and framing of the tour as a response to being dropped, with Al Jazeera highlighting his 'genocide' remark and Arab News specifying pro-Palestinian remarks as the cause of his removal.2578political statement, genocide language, pro-Palestinian remarks, hits back framing
South Asian private pressSouth AsiaCoverage presents a neutral, factual summary of the tour announcement and its charitable purpose without additional political framing.3tour dates, charity proceeds

What the coverage leaves out

  • None of the outlets reviewed reported Ed Sheeran's own statement or reasoning for Macklemore's removal from the tour.
  • None of the outlets reviewed specified which organisations supporting Palestinians will receive the tour proceeds.
  • None of the outlets reviewed reported ticket prices, venue names, or confirmed US tour dates.

Why it matters

The announcement follows Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour, which several outlets link to pro-Palestinian remarks he made on stage.467

What to watch

  • Announcement of additional artists for the tour, as stated by Macklemore.
  • Confirmation of US tour dates.

Sources (8)

Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.

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