Lorde Calls Out Robert Kraft with ‘Free Palestine’ Jacket, NME Reports

Lorde Wears Free Palestine Jacket to Call Out Robert Kraft Over Macklemore Tour Fallout

Lorde posted a photo of herself wearing a white, one-of-a-kind jacket emblazoned with the message “Free Palestine” while tagging venue owner Robert Kraft, NME reported. The pop artist shared the image on Instagram, directing the tag at a fan account for Kraft, Hotpress reported.

Stadium Owners Force Macklemore off Ed Sheeran Tour

Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour as a supporting act after delivering a stage speech calling for a free Palestine during his opening performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, Hotpress reported. Following those remarks, New England Patriots owner and Gillette Stadium proprietor Robert Kraft spoke out, stating he found the speech deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, NME reported. Kraft and other stadium owners contacted Sheeran and threatened to pull the shows from their venues unless the rapper was removed, Hotpress reported. Amid additional pressure from the Israeli American Council and singer Pink, Macklemore was officially dropped from the lineup, NME reported.

Macklemore Donates Tour Earnings to Palestinian Organizations

Macklemore subsequently donated his entire $1 million in net earnings from the Loop tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians and announced a separate, completely sold-out Free Palestine Tour, NME and Hotpress reported. Kraft stated that Ed Sheeran had asked him to match a $2 million humanitarian contribution in light of the controversy, NME reported. While Ed Sheeran released a statement saying he was not complicit and viewed the conflict as a tragedy, his scheduled gigs at Gillette Stadium were ultimately canceled due to severe weather warnings in the area, NME reported.

Artist Solidarity Across the Music Community

Ed Sheeran’s band and other tour support acts pulled out of the dates in solidarity with Macklemore, NME reported. Figures including Greta Thunberg, Massive Attack, Roger Waters, Dropkick Murphys, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Billy Bragg, Hayley Williams, Tom Morello, and Zach Bryan—who wore a “Free Palestine” T-shirt at Gillette Stadium—publicly backed Macklemore or challenged Kraft, NME reported. Lorde’s recent jacket appearance matches the custom garment she wore during her Austin City Limits performance two days prior, continuing her history of public support for Palestine that included chanting “free-fucking-Palestine” during her Ultrasound World Tour show at Madison Square Garden and joining the No Music for Genocide streaming boycott, NME and Hotpress reported.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Tour Controversy

Why was Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour?

Macklemore was removed as a supporting act after delivering a stage speech on September 4 calling for a free Palestine, which prompted stadium owners including Robert Kraft to threaten to pull the shows unless the rapper was cut, Hotpress reported.

Where is Macklemore’s Free Palestine Tour scheduled to perform?

The tour includes a performance at Dublin’s 3Arena on October 26, alongside scheduled dates in London and Paris, with proceeds donated to 12 organizations including the Palestinian Youth Movement and Medical Aid for Palestinians, Hotpress reported.

How did Lorde display her message to Robert Kraft?

Lorde posted a photo on Instagram wearing a custom white jacket with “Free Palestine” handwritten at the bottom, directly tagging an account for Robert Kraft, NME and Hotpress reported.

“Courage is contagious.”