Ed Sheeran announces new opening acts for his LOOP Tour after support previously set for the shows changes following the removal of US rapper Macklemore. Multiple outlets report that the shift happens after controversy linked to Macklemore’s remarks during performances in New Jersey.
The articles say Macklemore is dropped from the tour over his comments related to Gaza/Palestine, and that this triggers a wider reaction from other performers. Several sources report that other artists either withdraw or exit in solidarity, leaving Sheeran without opening acts for parts of the tour. In response, Sheeran confirms replacement acts, with details varying by outlet but all framing the announcement as a direct follow-up to the fall-out from the Macklemore decision.
While outlets differ in how they describe the backlash and the timing (“weeks after” versus “after all other artists pulled out”), they agree on the overall sequence: Macklemore’s removal leads to further performer departures, and Sheeran then announces new support acts to keep the tour schedule intact.
