Macklemore concluded his Free Palestine tour with a rousing show at London’s Wembley Arena on Friday night, telling his audience: “I don’t believe that staying silent is brave.”

The US rapper was thrown into the spotlight after being axed from Ed Sheeran ’s tour in September, over his public remarks in support of the people of Palestine.

Sheeran said in a statement that it was his promoter’s decision to drop Macklemore, real name Benjamin Haggerty, and that venues set to host his shows had threatened to cancel if Macklemore remained on his tour.

As well as performing alongside a lineup of special guests including Paloma Faith, Aja Monet, Vic Mensa, Nemahsis, Lucas Jones and Cure for Paranoia, Macklemore addressed the sold-out crowd of over 12,500 fans.

“It was more uncomfortable for me to stay silent than to say something,” he said of the Sheeran controversy. “And I just want to say, I don’t believe that saying something is brave. I don’t believe that saying something is courageous.…