Ed Sheeran’s tour in turmoil as opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore

Ed Sheeran’s North and South America tour has been thrown into turmoil after four supporting acts abruptly pulled out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour after making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.

Hours after Sheeran posted on social media on Tuesday about Macklemore’s removal and said the decision was made by the tour’s promoters, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham and Finneas announced on Instagram that they were leaving the tour.

Rowe and Lukas Graham were set to replace Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining US dates. Beoga had been performing several songs with Sheeran, including tracks the Irish folk band co-wrote, around the middle of each set. Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was due to join Sheeran for his South American dates later this year.


“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Pressure mounts on Sheeran

The withdrawals have put added pressure on Sheeran, who has tried to stay away from politics and taking sides in the Gaza conflict. He has argued that fans do not attend his shows to hear political discussions.

Rowe and Beoga both referred to Ireland’s history in explaining their decisions.

“We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be,” Beoga said.

Rowe described Sheeran as a friend and said the British singer-songwriter had changed his life.

"But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation," he said, adding that he couldn't “stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.”

Lukas Graham, known for hits including "Mama Said” and “7 Years”, thanked Sheeran and described its decision as “a difficult decision.”

“Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody's bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we're allowed to acknowledge,” the band posted, seemingly referring to billionaire Robert Kraft's role in Macklemore's removal from the tour.

Emails seeking comment were sent to Sheeran and the tour's promoter, the Messina Touring Group.

The crisis started with Macklemore being dropped

Sheeran addressed Macklemore’s removal after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments during their tour, saying the decision had been made solely by the promoters. The British singer also said he did not want to be drawn into a public discussion about the war in Gaza.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living."

Sheeran’s statement came a day after Macklemore said he had been kicked off the Loop Tour after shouting “Free Palestine!” during the Sept. 5 show at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium while introducing his protest song “Hind's Hall.”

“To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” he said during the concert.

Macklemore said Monday on Instagram that several US venues had told the promoter they would not allow him to perform as Sheeran’s opening act. He said the venues were rallied by Kraft, owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots. Kraft’s Kraft Group also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play.

In a statement Monday, Kraft said the decision to cancel Macklemore was the result of his recent comments “and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”

Kraft’s representatives did not immediately respond to a Tuesday email seeking comment on the other musical artists’ decisions.

Sheeran says 'I am not complicit'

A growing number of organisations and experts have said Israel’s wartime actions in Gaza amount to genocide, an accusation Israel vehemently rejects.

Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of the 10 shows remaining on Sheeran’s stadium tour, which is set to resume Saturday in Philadelphia. The tour also includes stops at Gillette Stadium, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.

In his social media post, Sheeran said he “spoke with the venues at length all week to try to build a bridge,” but that “the venue's and promoter's decision was final.”

He said he tries to use his music to “bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together” and that while he has personal views about “this devastating conflict,” he chooses not to speak publicly because people who attend his shows “do not expect a political forum.” He added: “I am not complicit.”

“I respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes," Sheeran added. "However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”