USA
All Supporting Acts Withdraw From Ed Sheeran’s Tour Following Macklemore’s Removal Over Palestine Remarks: Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has been thrown into fresh controversy after all four remaining supporting acts withdrew from upcoming dates in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, whose removal from the tour followed pro-Palestinian remarks made during his performances in New Jersey.
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham have all announced their departures, leaving Sheeran’s remaining tour dates without the previously announced supporting acts. The withdrawals came after Macklemore was removed from the U.S. leg of the tour following comments he made during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium.
Macklemore’s Palestine remarks spark controversy
During his September 4 performance, Macklemore spoke about Gaza and the occupied West Bank and expressed support for Palestine. His comments prompted criticism from the Israeli American Council and opposition from some stadium owners.
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, was among those who objected to Macklemore appearing at his venue. Kraft later said his decision was based on Macklemore’s recent actions as well as what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Macklemore had previously apologized in 2013 after appearing onstage in a costume that critics said portrayed an antisemitic caricature.
Sheeran says venue and promoter decisions led to removal
Sheeran subsequently addressed the controversy, saying he had attempted to find a solution but that the decision to remove Macklemore ultimately rested with promoters and venue owners.
The British singer said he was concerned about the suffering caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict and maintained that he did not personally make the decision to remove Macklemore. He said he wanted to continue the tour rather than disappoint ticket holders, crew members and other musicians whose livelihoods depended on the shows.
The dispute has therefore developed into a wider debate involving artistic expression, venue control and the ability of performers to make political and humanitarian statements during concerts.
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham withdraw
Finneas was the latest major supporting artist to announce his withdrawal. He had been scheduled to perform on six South American dates in November.
In announcing his departure, Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking about issues they believe affect oppressed people and expressed solidarity with Palestine.
Irish singer Aaron Rowe, who was scheduled for the remaining North American dates, also withdrew. He said the decision was difficult because of his relationship with Sheeran but that he could not continue under circumstances he viewed as suppressing voices speaking about the conflict.
Irish traditional band Beoga, which has performed with Sheeran for more than a decade and serves as his backing band, also announced its departure from the U.S. tour. The band said it remained friends with Sheeran while expressing support for dialogue concerning the situation involving Palestinians.
Danish pop group Lukas Graham also withdrew. Lead singer Lukas Forchhammer said artists should be able to discuss war and civilian suffering regardless of where people live or which flag represents them.
Tour continues amid growing debate
The withdrawals leave Sheeran’s remaining dates without the supporting artists originally attached to the shows.
The controversy has attracted responses from other musicians and public figures, including Kehlani, who expressed support for Macklemore following the dispute.
Kraft, meanwhile, has said he would welcome a direct conversation with Macklemore, describing peace, an end to suffering and an end to hate as shared goals.
The dispute surrounding Sheeran’s tour has now moved beyond a disagreement over one performer, raising broader questions about artists’ freedom to express political and humanitarian views, the authority of concert venues and promoters, and the responsibilities of major touring artists when political controversies affect their shows.
The Loop Tour is expected to continue, but the departure of its remaining supporting acts has transformed what began as a dispute over one opening act into a much wider discussion across the international music industry.
