All Support Acts Quit Ed Sheeran’s US Tour After Backlash
All four opening acts and Ed Sheeran’s backing band have abruptly abandoned “The Loop” tour following rapper Macklemore’s forced removal.
Supporting artists Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and traditional Irish group Beoga withdrew to protest against powerful figures silencing pro-Palestinian advocacy.
The dispute erupted after Macklemore displayed Gaza war imagery and voiced support for Palestine during recent New Jersey concerts. Facing criticism from public figures like Pink and campaign groups, key venue operators – notably New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft – refused to host the show unless promoters dropped the rapper.
Kraft cited Macklemore’s “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.”
Sheeran defended his neutrality, explaining that Macklemore’s contract was strictly with promoters, whose final decision followed failed bridge-building attempts. Stating his audiences include children who “do not expect a political forum”, Sheeran insisted he chose to protect his crew and fans rather than cancel performances.
However, departing acts rejected this stance. Describing the decision to quit as difficult, Rowe declared, “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices.”
Meanwhile, Macklemore reflected that if his actions succeeded in “turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on.”
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