Macklemore dropped from Vegas festival after anti-America remark

Grammy award-winning musician Macklemore will not be performing at the inaugural Neon City Festival in Las Vegas following a controversial comment he made about America during a concert over the weekend.
“Macklemore will no longer be performing due to unforeseen circumstances,” according to an Instagram post shared by the festival’s organizers on Tuesday.
The festival has not specified why Macklemore was dropped, but the decision comes days after the “Thrift Shop” rapper stirred controversy for a remark he made while performing at a pro-Palestine festival in Seattle. Videos of the concert circulating on social media captured the 41-year-old saying “(expletive) America” during his set on Saturday.
Macklemore has been a vocal supporter of Palestine in the past and has criticized U.S. leaders for the country’s support of Israel.
The Neon City Festival will now be headlined by DJ Alison Wonderland, rock band Neon Trees, singer-songwriter Russell Dickerson and DJ Seven Lions. The festival is scheduled to run from Nov. 22-24.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
USA TODAY contacted the music festival and Macklemore’s reps on Tuesday and did not immediately receive a response.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, made the anti-America remark during the “Palestine Will Live Forever” festival. He performed his pro-Palestinian song “Hinds Hall.”
“Come join us for a day of artistry and cultural celebration,” according to the festival’s website. “Palestine Will Live Forever is a coming together of Palestinian artists, as well as artists standing in solidarity with Palestine, to uplift the community, raise awareness, and raise funds for humanitarian needs in Palestine.”
Macklemore recently collaborated with Palestinian artists and released a follow-up to his “Hinds Hall” song titled “Hinds Hall 2.” The track features Palestinian-American artists Anees and Amer Zahr, Gaza-born rapper MC Abdul, and the LA Palestinian Kids Choir.
News from the Middle East: Sign up for USA TODAY’s Israel-Hamas War newsletter.
“Hey Kamala, I don’t know if you’re listening,” Macklemore says in the song. “But stop sending money and weapons or you ain’t winning Michigan/We uncommitted, and (expletive) no we ain’t switching positions.”
Macklemore has been a public supporter of Palestine and has shared various posts on his social media pages in the country’s support.
“Free Palestine 🇵🇸…The message is love,” he wrote as a caption in an Instagram post from Dec. 24, 2023.