Four Acts Quit Ed Sheeran Tour Over Macklemore Removal

Four opening acts abandoned Ed Sheeran's North and South American tour on Tuesday after the rapper Macklemore was removed for making pro-Palestinian statements onstage. Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Irish folk band Beoga, Danish group Lukas Graham and producer Finneas each announced their withdrawal on Instagram, citing solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people.

Macklemore had been dropped from the remaining U.S. dates following pressure from Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where a show was scheduled. The rapper wore a keffiyeh at a New Jersey concert earlier this month and told the crowd, "Free Palestine." He later blamed Kraft for his removal.

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

Sheeran posted on social media that the decision to drop Macklemore was not his own and attributed it to the tour's promoters. He has previously said he tries to avoid politics at his shows. The controversy began in early September when Macklemore called for a free Palestine during his first two opening performances.

Rowe and Beoga both invoked Irish history in their statements. Rowe wrote that as Irish people they "know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation" and could not allow billionaires to silence voices speaking against Israeli actions in Gaza. Beoga noted they are founding members of Irish Artists for Palestine.

Finneas, brother and collaborator of Billie Eilish, who was slated for the South American leg, wrote: "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I stand with Palestine and its people." Lukas Graham called it a difficult decision and said, "Money doesn't give you the right to own the conversation."

The Associated Press reports more than 73,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Israel and its allies, including the United States, deny genocide allegations and say Israel is defending itself. Macklemore has advocated for Palestinian rights since 2023 and released the song "Hind's Hall" in 2024.