Support Acts Abandon Ed Sheeran’s US Tour Following Macklemore’s Removal

Every remaining support act on Ed Sheeran’s United States tour has withdrawn from the lineup following the removal of rapper Macklemore due to his pro-Palestinian commentary. Among those who departed are Finneas, brother of pop star Billie Eilish, who stated in a declaration that artists must not be silenced when advocating for the oppressed.

Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish group Lukas Graham, and Irish folk ensemble Beoga also announced their exit. The departures occurred shortly after Sheeran issued a statement distancing himself from the decision, clarifying that the tour promoter was responsible for dropping Macklemore and that he would not engage in a public debate regarding Gaza.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram. He emphasized that he did not want to disappoint fans who had made plans or abandon the touring crew and fellow musicians who depend on the tour for their livelihood.

The controversy originated in early September when Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, called for a “free Palestine” and displayed images of destruction in Gaza during performances in New Jersey. His remarks drew sharp criticism from Jewish organizations, leading to pressure on tour promoters from various venues.

In his response, Sheeran described himself as “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” but defended his choice to keep political issues at a distance. He noted that his audience includes children of diverse backgrounds and that attendees do not expect a political forum at his concerts. He added that he respects Macklemore’s courage but believes there is room for different approaches to achieving peace.

Despite Sheeran’s attempts to mediate, several artists felt compelled to leave. Lukas Graham argued that individuals should be able to discuss war and civilian casualties without restriction, while Rowe expressed deep gratitude to Sheeran but stated he could not remain silent on the issue.

Macklemore announced his removal from the tour on Monday, revealing that billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, had organized the boycott. Kraft, who previously hired Sheeran to perform at his wedding, confirmed the decision, stating the venue would not host hate speech and accusing Macklemore of selectively sharing information to promote divisiveness.

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone that venues threatened to cancel the entire tour if Macklemore was allowed to perform, which would have affected hundreds of thousands of fans. Many of the withdrawing artists cited Kraft’s financial influence as a key factor in their decision.

In a final statement, Macklemore expressed empathy for Sheeran’s position but criticized the singer for remaining neutral. He argued that there is no neutral ground between the oppressor and the oppressed, noting that taking a stand has cost him financially and personally. He concluded that if his presence shifted the conversation back to Palestine, the tour was ultimately successful.