New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- Ed Sheeran's The Loop Tour has become the centre of a growing dispute over Palestine, artistic expression and the boundaries of political speech at major music events.

The controversy began after Macklemore, who was supporting Sheeran on the North American leg of the tour, made pro-Palestine remarks during his 4 September performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

He told the crowd he wanted the words "Free Palestine" to be heard and said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten.

Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining US dates of the tour. However, Sheeran has disputed the suggestion that he personally dropped the rapper, saying the decision was ma...