Ed Sheeran Loses Tour Opening Acts Following Macklemore’s Removal
“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. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way,” Sheeran shared in response to the backlash over Macklemore’s removal.
ED SHEERAN: Photographed by Petros Studios
ED SHEERAN: Photographed by Petros StudiosP
Following the removal of Macklemore from Ed Sheeran‘s ‘The Loop Tour’ for his Pro-Palestine comments, the remaining North American and South American stops are left without supporting acts.
FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Sheeran’s touring band Beoga have stood in solidarity with the American rapper after his removal.
This all started when he performed his 2024 protest track “Hind’s Hall” and called for “Free Palestine” during his set at MetLife Stadium on September 4, 2026.
The Israeli-American Council petitioned for him to be removed from the tour. A few weeks later, tour promoter Messina Touring Group announced that he would no longer perform on the remaining U.S. dates, which runs until November.
Sheeran and his supporting acts were scheduled to play at Gillette Stadium, owned by Kraft Sports Group, on September 25 and 26. Kraft rallied other stadium owners and collectively stated that if Macklemore remains as a supporting act for the tour, Sheeran won’t be allowed to play at their venues.
“I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth. Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour. But before I get into it, I want to say something that should be obvious. In this moment, I think it matters. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety, and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families,” Macklemore shared in a statement.
“The victims are the Palestinian people. The men, women, and children who have been killed, starved, displaced, and forced to live through unimaginable violence. More than 20,000 children have been killed in Gaza alone. People are being killed today, and people will be killed tomorrow. I want to make sure that as I tell this story, we don’t lose sight of that,” he added.
At the end of his statement, Macklemore didn’t dismiss the 13 years of friendship and working relationship he has with Sheeran, stating that he hopes to have an open conversation about the state of Palestine and how staying neutral is detrimental to this situation.
Following Macklemore, the remaining supporting acts followed suit. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people,” FINNEAS said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Graham shared that speaking up about the war is a necessity, saying, “It’s hard to watch families in other parts of the world burying the people they love. 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.”
“I grew up in Christiania, a small community in Denmark where speaking your mind was part of everyday life […] I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand. We’re withdrawing from the remaining dates. I’m sorry we won’t be there. This is a difficult decision, but it’s one I need to stand by,” he added.
“Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life; I could never thank him enough for this. But as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine, and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal. I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonisation, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland,” Rowe shared in a statement.
Meanwhile, Sheeran’s touring band Beoga, who are founding members of the Irish Artists For Palestine movement, shared their sentiments, saying, “We are Irish people who understand colonialism […] we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be. This whole episode is once again serving to distract from the real issue; over 1000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so-called ceasefire.”
As of this writing, no replacement acts have yet been announced for the remaining dates on Sheeran’s tour.
Sheeran shared a statement in response to the situation, saying, “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me. I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
He added that he has always used his platform and music to bring people and cultures together and stated that he is not complicit and has personal views on what’s happening in Palestine. “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. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way,” he added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group removed Macklemore after stadium owners, led by Kraft Sports Group, said they would bar Ed Sheeran from their venues if he stayed on the bill, following Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks and “Hind’s Hall” performance at MetLife Stadium on September 4, 2026.
FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Sheeran’s touring band Beoga withdrew from the remaining Loop Tour dates in solidarity with Macklemore, each citing support for Palestinian rights as their reason for stepping away from the tour.
Macklemore said Ed Sheeran’s team made the decision to remove him, emphasized that Palestinians are the true victims of the war, and said he hopes to have an open conversation with Sheeran about neutrality on the issue.
Ed Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was the promoter’s, not his own, and that he wouldn’t abandon fans, crew, or other acts. He added that he holds personal views on Palestine but chooses not to state them publicly.
The lineup changes affect the remaining North American Loop Tour dates through November, including Gillette Stadium shows on September 25 and 26, plus the South American leg, all of which are now without confirmed supporting acts.
