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Stevie Wonder backs Macklemore in impassioned Glasgow speech: “Ban me as you want”
Stevie Wonder publicly backed Macklemore during a Glasgow concert, calling for wars to stop and for people to be protected from their destruction. The remarks connected the show’s message of peace with the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian statements.
Wonder spoke at the OVO Hydro on 11 November, during the European leg of his tour marking 50 years of *Songs in the Key of Life*. He said Macklemore had been banned for speaking out against wars, then added, “Ban me as you want”; the crowd of about 14,000 cheered. Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour after saying “Free Palestine” on stage, and later said nine major US arenas had blocked his own Free Palestine tour.
In short
- Stevie Wonder called for peace at his Glasgow concert.
- He voiced support for Macklemore after the rapper’s tour controversies.
- About 14,000 people attended the show on 11 November.
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The case for
Supporters could argue that artists have a responsibility to speak against war and civilian suffering, and that Wonder’s backing affirms the right to express solidarity with Palestinians even when it brings professional consequences. They may see concert platforms as a legitimate way to draw attention to a humanitarian cause and challenge what they view as unequal limits on political speech.
The case against
Others could argue that a performer’s public platform carries influence, so political statements about a complex conflict should be carefully framed and should not imply that disagreement or event decisions are necessarily censorship. They may also see tour organisers as entitled to make programming choices and prefer concerts to remain focused on music, while still supporting free expression and concern for people harmed by war.