Ed Sheeran’s US tour has lost its entire remaining support lineup after four artists withdrew in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was removed from the tour following his outspoken support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Irish singer Aaron Rowe and folk band Beoga announced their withdrawals on Tuesday (September 15), hours after Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore had been made by the tour promoter and venues – not by him. The departures have left Sheeran’s remaining North American shows without the support acts originally scheduled to appear alongside him.
The dispute began after Macklemore used his appearances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5 to voice support for Palestinians. During his September 4 performance, he told the audience: “Free Palestine!” and said he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten. He also performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall”, which addresses Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
His remarks prompted the Israeli-American Council to call for his removal from the tour. The controversy intensified after Macklemore said on September 14 that he had been dropped from the remaining eight US dates. He alleged that venue owners, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, had pressured the promoter to remove him.
Macklemore removed from remaining dates
Macklemore was scheduled to appear at eight of Sheeran’s remaining US shows, beginning with the September 19 concert at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The promoter, Messina Touring Group, said venues had told it they would not permit concerts with Macklemore on the bill, and added that the choice was effectively between removing Macklemore and risking cancellation of the shows, arguing that a cancellation would affect hundreds of thousands of fans. It said: “After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
The removal was announced on September 14, nine days after Macklemore’s first MetLife performance and one day before the wave of withdrawals by Sheeran’s other support acts.
Macklemore has rejected accusations of antisemitism and has argued that criticism of Israel’s policies and military actions should not be equated with hostility towards Jewish people.
Robert Kraft, whose Gillette Stadium is due to host Sheeran on September 25 and 26, defended the decision, citing concerns about what he described as Macklemore’s history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery, while saying he opposed hate and supported peace and the safety of both Jewish and Palestinian communities.
Sheeran: “It was not mine”
Sheeran addressed the controversy on Tuesday, saying that he had tried to find a solution but had been unable to persuade the promoter and venues to reverse course.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said. He said venues had indicated they would withdraw their shows if Macklemore remained on the bill and said he did not want to abandon fans, crew members and musicians whose livelihoods depended on the tour. Sheeran also sought to explain his own decision not to make public political statements about the conflict.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” he said. “Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care.” He added that he wanted his concerts to function as a place where people could come together, saying: “I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”
Artists withdraw
The explanation did little to prevent the dispute from spreading through Sheeran’s own touring lineup. Finneas, who was due to join Sheeran for six South American dates in November, said: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” He added: “I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Rowe, who was scheduled to perform on Sheeran’s remaining US dates, said he could not continue under the circumstances. “I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal,” Rowe said, referring to Ireland’s history of famine, occupation and conflict. He ended his statement with “Free Palestine.”
Beoga, Sheeran’s Irish touring band, also withdrew, saying it had decided to leave following what it described as the “silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies”. The band said it had been friends with Sheeran for more than a decade and would remain so.
Lukas Graham singer Lukas Forchhammer said the band could not continue while Macklemore was being removed from the tour. “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,” he said.
He added: “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.”
