Support Acts Quit Ed Sheeran Tour After Macklemore Dropped Over Gaza Comments
Four supporting acts have officially withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s ongoing U.S. tour following the removal of rapper Macklemore over pro-Palestinian comments made during a September 5 concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Tour Departures and Artist Statements Over Macklemore Removal
The tour fallout escalated quickly after Macklemore was cut from the remaining dates of the Loop Tour following his onstage remarks introducing the protest song “Hind’s Hall” at MetLife Stadium. Macklemore stated on Instagram that several U.S. venues told the promoter they would prohibit him from performing, pointing to pressure rallied by Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium. In a statement issued on Monday, Kraft said the decision to cancel Macklemore stemmed from his recent comments and a broader history of rhetoric deemed deeply offensive to the Jewish community.
Ed Sheeran addressed the controversy on Tuesday via Instagram, stating that Macklemore’s removal was decided solely by the tour promoters and venues. Sheeran wrote that he spoke with venues at length to build a bridge, but the final decision stood, noting that he refused to abandon his touring crew and remaining support acts who rely on him for work.
Despite Sheeran’s statement, multiple support acts chose to walk away. Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and U.S. musician Finneas announced their withdrawals on Instagram. Rowe, scheduled as one of Macklemore’s replacements, cited his country’s history, writing that he could not allow billionaires to use their power to silence those who speak up. Beoga, serving as Sheeran’s backing band, echoed similar sentiments regarding colonialism and the silencing of voices advocating for Palestine. Finneas stated that artists must not be silenced when speaking for the oppressed, while Lukas Graham noted that money does not grant the right to own the conversation or decide whose suffering may be acknowledged.
Navigating High-Stakes Public Relations and Tour Logistics
Macklemore was originally scheduled to perform at eight of the ten remaining shows on the stadium tour. With multiple support slots now vacant and international headlines scrutinizing the tour’s logistics, the financial and operational pressure on the promoter, Messina Touring Group, continues to mount as remaining dates approach.
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