Supporting Acts Withdraw from Ed Sheeran Tour After Macklemore Removal Over Pro-Palestinian Remarks
Ed Sheeran said the decision to drop rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour was made by the promoter, after venue owners objected to Macklemore's pro-Palestinian statements, prompting several opening acts and his backing band to quit the tour.
At least three opening acts and Ed Sheeran's backing band have left the Loop Tour following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the remaining North American dates. Macklemore was taken off the lineup after making pro-Palestinian comments during a performance at MetLife Stadium in early September, which sparked criticism from pro-Israel groups.
The promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that multiple venues would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the bill, leading to his contract being terminated. Owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, said Gillette Stadium would not host Macklemore because of “material shared from the stage” and a “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric” that he deemed offensive to the Jewish community.
"Based on Macklemore's recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line," Kraft said.
Sheeran posted a statement saying he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and emphasized his desire to stay neutral on political issues. He clarified that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter, not with him, and that the decision to drop the rapper was not his.
"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," Sheeran wrote.
Following the controversy, Irish group Beoga, which had been performing with Sheeran, announced its departure, citing support for dialogue on the Palestinian issue. Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish pop band Lukas Graham, and American artist Finneas also announced they would no longer appear as supporting acts, each referencing the need to stand with Palestine and opposition to perceived censorship.
The withdrawals leave Sheeran's tour without several scheduled openers and raise questions about the impact of political statements on live-music events.