Entertainment

Ed Sheeran's US Tour Left Without Support Acts as Artists Walk Out Over Macklemore's Removal

By Mark Savage

All remaining support acts on Ed Sheeran's US tour have withdrawn following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the lineup after he made pro-Palestinian remarks during performances. Finneas, brother of singer Billie Eilish, stated that "artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed." Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe and Danish band Lukas Graham also confirmed they were leaving the tour, as did Irish folk band Beoga, who had performed alongside Sheeran nightly. The departures came shortly after Sheeran addressed the controversy on Instagram, stating he would not engage in public debate over the Gaza conflict and clarifying he was not responsible for Macklemore's removal. "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," Sheeran wrote, adding he would not abandon fans, crew, or other performers who depend on the tour for income. Sheeran is scheduled to perform next at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, though his Loop tour website still lists Graham and Rowe as special guests. Earlier this month, Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, called for a "free Palestine" and displayed images of destruction in Gaza during two shows in New Jersey. His remarks drew backlash from Jewish organizations, prompting several venues to pressure the tour's promoters into dropping him. Sheeran said he had spent the week trying to "build a bridge" with venues, but promoter Messina Touring Group ultimately made the decision to remove Macklemore. Sheeran said he was "appalled" by the Israel-Palestine conflict and called the suffering on both sides "a human tragedy," while explaining his choice to avoid political statements at his shows. "I am not complicit," he wrote, noting that his audience includes young people and children, and that he prefers to keep his shows free of political messaging. He added that Macklemore, like all his supporting acts, had been given full freedom to choose his own setlist. Despite this explanation, several artists cited the statement as a factor in their decision to leave. Lukas Graham wrote on Instagram, "We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them." Rowe, who had performed on the Australian leg of the tour earlier this year and rejoined for the US dates in June, said leaving was not an easy decision, adding that Sheeran had been a supportive friend. Beoga said continuing to perform at venues that silence pro-Palestinian advocacy was "simply not an option." The controversy began on September 4 when Macklemore performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, telling the audience he wanted to use the platform to say "free Palestine." He then performed his song "Hind's Hall," dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University, while images of Gaza's devastation played on screen. The performance drew both cheers and swift online criticism. The Israeli American Council launched a petition calling for his removal, while the group StopAntisemitism accused him of using the concert to spread propaganda, a claim amplified by singer Pink. The next night, Macklemore addressed Jewish audience members directly, saying criticism of Israeli policy was not criticism of Jewish people, and expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel has denied allegations of genocide, saying its military operations are conducted in self-defense and in accordance with international law. The current conflict began after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Gaza's health ministry, whose figures are considered credible by the UN, reports that more than 73,780 people have been killed during Israel's subsequent military campaign. On Monday, Macklemore announced he had been removed from the tour, saying the effort was organized by Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, who once hired Sheeran to perform at his wedding. Kraft confirmed he made the decision, stating his venue would not "provide a platform for hate speech" and accusing Macklemore of a history of antisemitic rhetoric. Kraft said he agreed that too many lives had been lost but argued that presenting only selective information ignored the actions of Hamas. He did not address claims that he pressured other venues to act similarly. Messina Touring Group said venues had informed them they would not permit Macklemore to perform, threatening cancellation of the entire tour. Several artists who withdrew cited Kraft's involvement as influencing their decision. Lukas Graham said, "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." Macklemore said he sympathized with the difficult position Sheeran faced but criticized him for not taking a stronger stance, stating there was "no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed." He said that if his comments helped redirect public attention to Palestine, then it was "the most successful tour I've ever been on," despite completing only two shows. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that artists have the right to speak on political issues, but said she sympathized with Sheeran's difficult position between supporting artists and tour promoters. She said no one should platform antisemitism, but that individuals and promoters were entitled to their own views on mixing politics with music. Elan Carr, chief executive of the Israeli-American Council, said Macklemore's comments were inappropriate for a concert setting, arguing that his remarks made Jewish and pro-Israel attendees feel unwelcome, and that his removal from the tour was justified.