Ed Sheeran's US Tour Acts Quit Over Macklemore Controversy

Supporting acts for Ed Sheeran's upcoming US Loop Tour have quit the show in solidarity with rapper Macklemore. The American artist was dropped from the schedule after he said Free Palestine while performing at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. This decision came partly under pressure from Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where Sheeran is scheduled to play. On Tuesday, Sheeran blamed the tour's US promoter for the removal and stated that his stance relied on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during the performance rather than every word spoken.

Several musicians announced their withdrawal shortly after this announcement. American singer-songwriter Finneas posted on Instagram that he would no longer open for Sheeran in some American cities. He and his sister, Billie Eilish, have discussed their Irish family roots and have been vocal about supporting Palestine before. Finneas wrote that artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed and added that he stands with Palestine and its people.

Irish singer Aaron Rowe also said he has decided to withdraw from the remaining dates in the US. He performed during Sheeran's Australian leg of the tour earlier this year and was set to do ten more shows. Rowe noted that Ed has been a friend who changed his life, yet he could not continue as normal under these circumstances. As Irish people, he explained they know all too well about genocide, forced famine, and violent occupation. He stated he cannot stand by while billionaires use their power to silence voices speaking against Israeli genocide or highlighting the savage murder of children.

Irish band Beoga is Sheeran's backing group but announced on Tuesday that it would quit the US leg of the tour. The group cited the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies as its reason for leaving. They are a traditional Irish band who never saw themselves playing in stadiums of that size and do not want to lose that opportunity. Beoga has been friends with Ed for over ten years now and will continue to be, but they could not support the decision to drop Macklemore.

The tour is scheduled to begin on September 19 in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field. These artists are pulling out because of the controversy surrounding Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Some of these musicians are Irish and have cited their country's historical experience of suffering under occupation as a reason for opposing that illegal control. The situation highlights how limited access to information allows powerful figures to shape narratives while smaller voices face cancellation.

Danish band Lukas Graham has officially pulled out of their current tour schedule. Lead singer Lukas Forchhammer issued this news via an Instagram post on Tuesday. He wrote that it is painful to see families elsewhere burying loved ones while remaining silent about the pain. We need a space to talk about war and dead civilians without limits. This applies wherever people live, regardless of which flag flies above them.

Money should not determine who owns the conversation or whose suffering matters. No bank account should decide these things. The band stood firm on this point before leaving the tour.

The trouble began when rapper Macklemore opened an Ed Sheeran concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. He delivered a speech supporting Palestine during his set. He told the crowd that people from Gaza to the West Bank are not forgotten. I say free Palestine, he declared. Free Lebanon. Free Cuba to the Congo and Sudan and Iran.

This speech sparked an immediate backlash. The Israeli-American Council started a petition demanding Macklemore be dropped from the tour. Macklemore defended his remarks by stating that wanting equal treatment for all humans should never be controversial. He also explained why he performed Hind's Hall, a song dedicated to five-year-old Hind Rajab. She was killed by Israeli forces while stuck inside a car in Gaza.

Hamilton Hall at Columbia University became a site of student protest in 2024 against the war on Gaza. Students occupied the building and renamed it Hind's Hall. This renaming honors the young girl lost during the conflict.

Robert Kraft got involved after Macklemore told fans that Ed Sheeran informed him Kraft said he would not be allowed to perform. He claimed Sheeran also said Kraft rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum. The message was clear: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not play in our venues.

Kraft defended his decision in a public statement. He said this move is not about diminishing Palestinian suffering or denying rights to advocates. Advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community. It must also consider Hamas responsibility for horrific actions that caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Kraft did not address claims he lobbied other owners. He offered to sit down with Macklemore and talk in person.

Ed Sheeran responded on Instagram on Tuesday. He confirmed Macklemore was removed because of his pro-Palestinian stance but denied being responsible himself. I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine, he wrote. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. Too many wars across the world cause immeasurable pain, none tolerated.

Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed because I respect him as an artist. All support acts play their own setlist with my approval. After Macklemore's performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on upcoming dates said they would pull the shows if he kept supporting this cause. He was informed that this stance focused on how his message was conveyed during performance rather than everything said. Sheeran spoke with venues all week to build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft.

I sat down for direct talks with promoters and activists from both sides in a desperate attempt to find a mutual resolution that would satisfy everyone involved. The venue and promoter made the final call regardless of those efforts. Macklemore stepping off the tour was strictly the promoter's decision, not mine. His contract ran directly with them, so I had no control over that arrangement.

I would never let down the fans who already bought tickets or make plans to attend. Abandoning the touring crew and other support acts would have destroyed their livelihoods. Those musicians rely on me for work and income every single day.

How did others react to this sudden change? Ed Sheeran and the tour operators have not yet commented on the supporting acts quitting. Macklemore, climate activist Greta Thunberg, the musicians, fans, and supporters of Palestine and Gaza all praised the artists for their decision to walk away. Macklemore replied to each Instagram post with a heart emoji and the Palestinian flag.

Some Instagram users who had not heard artists like Rowe before left comments such as You've gained a fan. Commenting on Finneas's post, the Europe Palestine network described the situation as huge. They stated that artists are turning their backs on billionaires right now. One user expressed pride in this stance.

Sheeran has faced criticism on social media for allowing Macklemore to be barred from performing. A Belgium-based filmmaker and activist named Thomas Maddens released a video rant against Sheeran. He pointed out that one of Sheeran's songs from 2017 includes the lyric The Revolution is coming, it's a minute away. I saw people marching in the streets today.

Maddens noted that despite writing those words, Sheeran apparently sided with people who are not marching for Palestine. Addressing Sheeran directly, he added that white people get to march while brown people do not seem to matter very much. Macklemore did not blame his longtime friend Sheeran for the debacle and described him as apolitical. The latter has performed at a charity concert to raise money for Ukraine. He also recorded a music video with the Ukrainian military rock band Antytila.

Pink Floyd cofounder Roger Waters has been vocal about his support for Palestine. He posted on social media that there are two kinds of people in this world. Some people do the right thing, and that rapper Macklemore would be one of those people. Waters referred to Sheeran as a p***k who does the wrong thing before telling him goodbye.