Ed Sheeran's Tour Support Acts Quit in Protest After Macklemore Removal

The remaining opening acts on Ed Sheeran's ongoing stadium tour—Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe—and his backing band Beoga announced they will withdraw from the run in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from his own opening slot after referencing a free Palestine message. Macklemore said he was dropped after venues, coordinated by Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, warned they would cancel shows if he remained on the bill. Sheeran responded that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter, not by him, citing concerns that the rapper's partial remarks during his performance could jeopardize upcoming dates.

Sheeran said he aims to keep his concerts a “place of safety and sanctuary” for a diverse audience, including young people, and that he does not use his platform for overt political statements. He added that he attempted to negotiate a resolution with venues and promoters but was ultimately unable to reach an agreement.

Finneas posted on Instagram that artists should not be silenced when speaking for the oppressed, while Rowe referenced historical Irish suffering to explain his decision to leave the tour. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) called on Sheeran to cancel the entire tour, accusing his statement of downplaying the conflict.

Macklemore, who has long criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, displayed footage of the devastation during his set and highlighted the death of a six-year-old child, arguing that his increased visibility made the “Free Palestine” message a perceived risk for large-scale venues.