Ed Sheeran’s US Tour Rocked By Macklemore Exit As Four Supporting Acts Walk Out Over Palestine Remarks
Ed Sheeran’s US tour has been thrown into fresh controversy after rapper Macklemore was removed from the lineup for his pro-Palestinian remarks on stage, prompting all four remaining supporting acts to withdraw in solidarity.
Macklemore was performing as an opening act for Sheeran’s Loop tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5 when he spoke about the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Wearing a keffiyeh, he called for “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song Hind’s Hall, which addresses the war in Gaza.
His comments drew criticism from some Jewish organisations and venue stakeholders.
The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for his removal. At the same time, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, said he opposed providing Macklemore a platform at Gillette Stadium, citing what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
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Macklemore has rejected accusations of antisemitism and has said his criticism is directed at Israeli policies and the treatment of Palestinians.
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According to Sheeran, the decision to remove Macklemore was ultimately made by the tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, and the venues, not by him.
Sheeran said several venues had objected to the way Macklemore delivered his message and that he had spent days speaking with venue owners, promoters and activists in an attempt to find a compromise.
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“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” Sheeran said in a statement shared on social media. He also said he was “appalled” by the suffering caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict, but explained that he does not use his concerts or music as a platform for political positions.
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Sheeran said his priority was also to protect the fans who had made plans to attend the concerts and the touring musicians and crew members whose livelihoods depend on the shows.
He maintained that choosing not to speak publicly about the conflict should not be interpreted as meaning that he has no personal views or does not care about the issue.
The explanation, however, was followed by a mass withdrawal from the tour.
Finneas, the singer and producer who is Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, announced that he would no longer join Sheeran for the planned South American dates. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said, adding that he stood with Palestine and its people.
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, who was scheduled to perform on the remaining North American dates, also withdrew.
Rowe referred to Ireland’s history of conflict, occupation and famine in explaining his decision and said he could not continue with the tour while artists speaking about Palestine were being silenced.
Irish folk band Beoga, which had been performing with Sheeran during his shows, also announced its departure. The band said it believed in dialogue as a way of addressing the plight of Palestinians and objected to what it described as the silencing of Macklemore.
Danish pop band Lukas Graham became the fourth act to withdraw.
The band said artists should be able to speak about war, civilian deaths and children affected by conflict, regardless of where they live. It also questioned whether financial power should determine which issues artists are allowed to discuss.
Macklemore, meanwhile, has said he holds no ill will towards Sheeran personally but has continued to defend his decision to speak about Palestine from the stage. His removal has since triggered a wider debate over artistic freedom, political expression and the influence of venue owners and commercial interests on live performances.
