Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has been thrown into turmoil after every remaining supporting act withdrew from the North and South American leg of the tour, following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the lineup over his outspoken support for Palestinians.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish folk band Beoga all announced their departures Tuesday, shortly after Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s exit. Their decisions mean Sheeran has lost his entire scheduled support lineup for the upcoming dates.
The dispute began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. During one performance, he voiced support for a free Palestine and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
According to tour promoter Messina Touring Group, several venues indicated they would not host shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, subsequently confirmed that he opposed Macklemore performing at the venue, citing what he described as the rapper’s recent comments as well as a broader history of rhetoric and imagery that he said had been offensive to the Jewish community.
Macklemore has rejected the characterization of his statements as antisemitic, arguing that criticism of Israel and support for Palestinians should not be equated with hatred toward Jewish people. The controversy has since become a wider debate over political expression, artistic freedom and the role of commercial venues in determining what performers can say from the stage.
Opening acts withdraw
Aaron Rowe was the first of the remaining artists to announce his departure. The Irish musician said he did not make the decision lightly, noting his friendship with Sheeran while expressing opposition to what he viewed as the silencing of pro-Palestinian voices.
Finneas subsequently announced that he would no longer participate, saying artists should not be silenced when speaking about oppressed people. Beoga also withdrew, citing solidarity with Macklemore and its support for Palestinian causes.
Danish group Lukas Graham likewise announced its departure, saying artists should be able to discuss war, civilian deaths and humanitarian suffering regardless of where those events occur.
Sheeran distances himself from decision
Sheeran has said that Macklemore’s removal was not his decision, attributing it to the tour’s promoters and venues. The singer said he had spoken with venues in an effort to find a solution but that their decision was ultimately final.
Sheeran also said he has been deeply troubled by the Israel-Palestine conflict but prefers not to turn his concerts into political forums. He described his shows as spaces intended to bring people from different backgrounds together.
“I am not complicit,” Sheeran said in his statement, while also acknowledging Macklemore’s commitment to his beliefs.
The fallout comes as the Loop Tour prepares to continue its North American dates. The next scheduled show is in Philadelphia on September 19, although it remains unclear who, if anyone, will replace the artists who have withdrawn.
Macklemore, meanwhile, has continued to speak publicly about the controversy. On Wednesday, he announced plans to donate his reported $1 million in tour earnings to organizations providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians and challenged Kraft to match the contribution.
The dispute has transformed what was expected to be a conventional stadium tour into a highly publicized confrontation over music, politics and freedom of expression—leaving Sheeran to continue the tour without the supporting artists originally scheduled to accompany him.