Ed Sheeran tour openers quit after Macklemore’s removal over pro-Palestine stage remarks

Macklemore will donate his Ed Sheeran tour money (Picture: ARNAUD FINISTRE / AFP via Getty Images) Macklemore has made a statement after all of Ed Sheeran’s tour openers and live band members dropped out of the Loop Tour. The Downtown rapper, 43, was removed from the US leg of the tour over his speech on stage calling for a ‘Free Palestine’. After comments from Pink condemning Macklemore, stadium bosses reportedly told Ed he wouldn’t be allowed to perform if the rapper was still on the lineup. Remaining openers Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe then pulled out, voicing support for Palestine, as well as Ed’s band Beoga. Now, Macklemore has revealed he will donate ‘the entire $1million (£747,000) of [his] net earnings’ from the tour to organisations working with Palestinian people. On Instagram, he wrote: ‘With everything that has happened over the last 48hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs; to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom.’ https://www.instagram.com/p/DdXFZLNARm4/? He confirmed that six organisations ‘working directly to support the Palestinian people’ would receive his donation. ‘I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation,’ Macklemore added, ‘Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. ‘A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth’. Robert Kraft is the CEO of Kraft Group, who owned Gillette Stadium that Ed was set to perform at, along with other US shows. The stadium owner reportedly spoke to other venue owners, who all then contacted the Shape of You singer and his team to block Macklemore from performing. In Ed’s statement, he claimed that the bosses took issue with how the message was conveyed, not what was said. Ed hasn’t commented on his support acts dropping out (Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) He also said he was ‘not complicit’ but was apolitical and didn’t publicly speak on issues like this. Paloma Faith has since called out the fact that he did appear in a benefit concert for Ukraine, saying she ‘doesn’t understand’ why this ‘felt more political’. The A-Team singer is yet to respond to the backlash or to his openers and band dropping out. It’s unclear at this point if he will be able to go ahead with his final US shows. Macklemore, who has seen a huge boost in streaming numbers in the wake of the fallout, urged fans to focus their attention on the Palestinian people. ‘This is a manmade injustice, and I believe it requires immediate political change,’ he wrote. ‘Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free. He concluded: ‘When the news cycle moves on, which it will, don’t move with it. Free Palestine.’ Metro has contacted Ed’s reps for comment. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

All supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in protest of Macklemore’s removal The artist Finneas and three other supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran's tour on Tuesday, after the US rapper Macklemore was removed for his pro-Palestine comments on stage. Finneas, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, and Lukas Graham of Denmark all posted statements announcing they were quitting Sheeran's "Loop Tour" in solidarity with the rapper and Palestinian people. "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said in a statement on social media. His statement came after Irish singer Aaron Rowe published a statement, announcing that he had decided to withdraw as a support act for the British singer. The Irish band Beoga echoed a similar sentiment in a social media post, as they announced departing the tour ın response to what they called "silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies”.  The Danish pop band Lukas Graham also announced their departure from the remaining acts. Read more: All supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in protest of Macklemore’s removal

All supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in protest of Macklemore’s removal Submitted by Bilge Kotan on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 00:01 Four supporting acts, including musician Finneas, stood in solidarity with the US rapper, as Sheeran said the rapper's removal was not his decision Finneas O'Connell attends the 2025 LACMA Art+Film Gala at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on 1 November 2025 in Los Angeles, California (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images via AFP) Off The artist Finneas and three other supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran's tour on Tuesday, after the US rapper Macklemore was removed for his pro-Palestine comments on stage. Finneas, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, and Lukas Graham of Denmark all posted statements announcing they were quitting Sheeran's "Loop Tour" in solidarity with the rapper and Palestinian people. "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas said in a statement on social media. His statement came after Irish singer Aaron Rowe published a statement, announcing that he had decided to withdraw as a support act for the British singer. "Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life," he said. "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." The Irish band Beoga echoed a similar sentiment in a social media post, as they announced departing the tour ın response to what they called "silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies”.  The Danish pop band Lukas Graham also announced their departure from the remaining acts, "We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up," teh lead singer of the band said. "Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.” On 4 September, during his opening performance, Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine” during a two-minute speech before performing his pro-Palestine anthem "Hind’s Hall", named after five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. His speech drew both praise and backlash from across the political spectrum. The pro-Israeli group Israeli American Council (IAC) launched a petition to pressure Sheeran to drop Macklemore as his opening act from future tour dates following the speech. In a detailed statement on Monday, the US rapper announced that “Ed Sheeran and his team” removed him from the tour after billionaire Robert Kraft rallied other stadium owners to threaten Sheeran with blocking him from using their stadiums if he didn't drop him. Sheeran defended himself in a statement, saying that "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine." Some fans took to social media criticising the singer for not taking a stance and pointing out other instances he used his platform to raise awareness on other political issues. The British pop star also rejected the criticism that he was "complicit"; he has his personal views on what he called a "devastating conflict", and he does not use his professional platform for politics. "Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I dont have them and it deosn't mean I don't care," he said. Israel's genocide in Gaza News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

Finneas has dropped out of Ed Sheeran’s tour (Picture: Reuters/Getty) Singer Finneas has announced he will withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in protest of artists being ‘silenced’. He and Aaron Rowe, who was also set to support the Shape of You singer, have pulled out of the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine. The Downtown rapper was removed from the US leg of the tour after stadium bosses reportedly told Ed he wouldn’t be allowed to perform if he was still on the lineup. Macklemore had spoken out in support of Palestine and showed war imagery during two other shows, sparking backlash from singer Pink and prompting a statement from Ed. In a text post on Instagram, Finneas wrote: ‘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 he stands with Palestine (Picture: Finneas) At the same time, Irish singer Aaron shared a similar statement confirming his withdrawal from the shows, saying he didn’t ‘take the decision lightly’. ‘Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life,’ he penned. ‘I could never thank him enough for this. ‘But as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.’ Aaron said he ‘cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up’. He added that he would ‘lose all respect’ for himself to pretend nothing had happened, and needed to ‘be true’ to himself and his ancestors. Macklemore commented the Palestinian flag as well as a heart emoji, alongside support from Green Party leader Zack Polanski and applause emojis from Kneecap. Aaron Rowe has also pulled out of supporting the tour (Picture: Aaron Rowe) On Finneas’ post, actress Jameela Jamil joked: ‘Maybe Pink can support?’ in reference to the Stupid Girls singer sharing her thoughts on Macklemore’s original speech. Ed’s final support act, Lukas Graham, has now also pulled out and also voiced his support for Palestine in a statement. He wrote: ‘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.’ Lukas shared how he grew up in a small community in Denmark where ‘speaking your mind was part of everyday life’ and ‘having more mony didn’t make your opnion worth more than anyone else’s’. ‘I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared,’ he continued. ‘That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand. https://www.instagram.com/p/DdUf8-ct9hE/ ‘I’m sorry we won’t be there. This is a difficult decision but it’s one I need to stand by.’ Macklemore announced on Monday that he had been dropped as an opener on the tour in a lengthy statement, although he stressed that neither he nor Sheeran should be considered victims in the situation. The Thrift Shop rapper was set to appear at eight of Ed’s remaining 10 dates, which kick off again on Friday, September 19, in Philadelphia. He said he understood Ed’s position but wasn’t willing to stop sharing his political message, which he added he’d been saying for several years now without issues. Ed then responded, posting a statement on Instagram that reads: ‘I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. Macklemore was set to open for eight more shows (Picture: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for MTV) ‘There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.’ He added: ‘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.’ Elsewhere in the statement, he wrote: ‘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.’ Ed has not yet addressed his other support acts dropping out but Metro has reached out for comment. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source