Ed Sheeran is facing mounting backlash after all four remaining support acts on his tour announced their departures, following Macklemore’s removal after a onstage speech expressing support for a “free Palestine.”
Macklemore said in a statement Monday that he believed he had been dropped from Sheeran’s US tour dates because of comments he made while performing in New Jersey earlier this month, when he spoke in support of Palestinians.
Sheeran, 35, later responded to the 43-year-old rapper’s departure. The singer said Macklemore’s remarks had angered the owners of venues scheduled to host the tour, while reiterating that he would not take a public political position himself.
That explanation did little to ease the controversy. Finneas, the musician and brother and creative partner of Billie Eilish, became the first of four remaining acts to announce that he would no longer perform on Sheeran’s stadium Loop Tour.
The 25-year-old Los Angeles musician 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 added.
Ed Sheeran is facing backlash after all four remaining opening acts on his tour withdrew following Macklemore’s removal after a “free Palestine” speech. Sheeran and Macklemore are pictured together in September 2014.
Finneas, the musician and Billie Eilish’s brother and creative partner, was among the acts who announced they would not continue on the stadium Loop Tour.
Finneas is pictured in Los Angeles in November 2025.
Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga followed with separate Instagram statements on Tuesday, confirming that they too would pull out of the remaining shows.
Irish singer Rowe acknowledged his close relationship with Sheeran, writing: “Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life. I could never thank him enough for this.”
He continued: “But as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.”
The “Hey Ma” hitmaker said he could not remain silent while wealthy individuals used their influence to suppress people speaking out on behalf of those facing oppression.
Lukas Graham also confirmed the group’s withdrawal, saying people should be free to discuss war, civilian deaths and children’s right to grow up safely, regardless of where they live or which flag represents them.
The Danish band added that growing up in a close-knit community had taught them that speaking openly was part of daily life, and that financial success did not make someone’s views less valid.
Graham concluded by saying: ‘I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand.
‘I’m sorry we won’t be there. This is a difficult decision but it’s one I need to stand by.’
Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga also put out statements on Instagram Tuesday announcing that they are pulling out of the remaining concert dates
Irish singer Rowe took a strong stance (he is pictured in England in June 2025)
Lukas Graham said that their upbringing in a small Denmark community made it so speaking your mind was part of every day life and having more money did not invalidate one’s opinions
Danish soul pop band Lukas Graham is pictured
Lastly, Irish band Beoga, who actually join Sheeran during Galway Girl on stage, also revealed that they are removing themselves from the tour
Beoga is pictured as they revealed they have been friends with Sheeran for over a decade
Lastly, Irish band Beoga, who actually join Sheeran during Galway Girl on stage, also revealed that they are removing themselves from the tour.
They wrote: ‘We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be.
‘Playing to those crowds every night is the stuff of dreams but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.’
Beoga also showed their solidarity for Macklemore as they echoed his sentiments by writing: ‘The whole episode is once again serving to distract from the real issue, over 1000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so-called ceasefire.’
Daily Mail has reached out to Sheeran’s representatives for comment on the four acts resigning from the tour and has yet to hear back.
It remains uncertain how the Loop Tour will proceed with zero openers scheduled and 18 dates still set through the end of the year.
The four musical act statements came a day after Sheeran broke his silence regarding Macklemore being removed from his tour after his ‘Free Palestine’ speech upset the owners of venues they were set to play.
The singer, who is a father of two, said that his audience is often young people ‘from different backgrounds’, who do not expect his shows to be a political forum.
It remains uncertain how the Loop Tour will proceed with zero openers scheduled and 18 dates still set through the end of the year (Sheeran is seen in New York in September 2025)
The four musical act statements came a day after Sheeran broke his silence regarding Macklemore being removed from his tour after his ‘Free Palestine’ speech upset the owners of venues they were set to play (pictured together in New York in August 2013)
Sheeran assured his followers that Macklemore’s removal would not affect his tour, as he told them ‘I would never let down the fans who had made plans’.
In his reaction, which came two days after Macklemore’s own statement, he said: ‘I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
‘The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.
‘Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist. As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing.
‘After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting.’
Sheeran continued by explaining that he had tried to find a resolution so that Macklemore could remain on his tour but he was not able to.
He said: ‘I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.
‘One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.
Sheeran released a statement on Tuesday, addressing the American star’s position and reminding fans he will never personally take a publicly political stance
‘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 then explained that there would be no alterations to the tour he has planned because he would never let his fans and crew down.
He said: ‘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.
‘I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won’t ever change. Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome.
‘I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.
‘There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.
‘I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change.
‘There are different approaches to being an advocate for change. I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.’
Sheeran captioned his post: ‘It’s important I set out some facts’.
Macklemore claimed that his long-term friend Sheeran had told him that Kraft personally called the singer to inform him that the rapper would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium
Macklemore released a statement on Monday after he was dropped over backlash sparked by the ‘Free Palestine‘ speech.
Responding with an Instagram statement after it was confirmed that he will not be the opening act for the remainder of the LOOP Tour, the rapper claimed Sheeran told him Robert Kraft orchestrated the move after ‘rallying stadium owners and issuing an ultimatum’.
The 43-year-old rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was due to open for Sheeran at eight of the remaining ten shows on his tour in America, which continues Friday in Philadelphia.
Macklemore had faced a boycott petition to remove him from the tour after he delivered a politically motivated speech in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank during his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.
In a statement on Instagram, Macklemore claimed that his long-term friend Sheeran had told him that Kraft personally called the singer to inform him that the rapper would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
Kraft is the billionaire CEO of the Kraft Group, which owns the Gillette stadium along with NFL team the New England Patriots.
He wrote that ‘Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.’
In his 1,000 word statement the rapper went on to say that he did not blame Sheeran personally, writing that his friend was put in a ‘f***ed up position’.
‘He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,’ Macklemore continued.
‘I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood. But he couldn’t get past his public facing, “I don’t take sides.” And I get why people don’t.’
‘Taking a side can cost you,’ Macklemore added. ‘Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.’
He noted that the pair had had ‘some difficult conversations this past week’ and he hoped that ‘this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.’
Kraft has defended his decision to block Macklemore from performing, saying the rapper ‘crossed a line’.
‘Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech,’ Kraft said in a statement.
Macklemore stated that every human being deserves the same freedom, and told the crowd he wanted people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know they had not been forgotten. Above, Macklemore on August 30 performing at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in France
‘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 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line.’
The promoter for the American side of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, Messina Touring Group, said in a statement that they were told by venues of future dates on the tour that ‘they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup’.
‘Which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans,” a spokesperson continued to Rolling Stone. ‘After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.’
As seen in fan-taken footage from his September 5 performance in New Jersey, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh at one point during his set and also performed his 2024 song Hind’s Hall with footage of Gaza on the massive screen behind him.
In the lyrics for Hind’s Hall the rapper criticises actions in Gaza. Proceeds from the song go toward humanitarian efforts from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The full video from the performance shows Macklemore standing on stage and addressing the crowd.
Pink reposted an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism, which slammed Macklemore’s performance and demanded an apology to the concertgoers
‘One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine. I said, Free Palestine!’ he told the attendees.
‘I want those words to be loud and clear so that people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.’
He then introduced Hind’s Hall, stating that it ‘was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world. Opened up hearts, myself included.’
‘So thank you to those students that risked their diplomas, that risked their tuition, that risked their scholarships, that stood up and said, “No.” CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace. Thank you guys.’
He addressed the Jewish community, stating: ‘To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.’
‘My message is for peace. Love. For all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality. So I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon. I say free Cuba. I say free Congo, free Sudan, free all people in America living in fear over this terrorist organization ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.’
Macklemore went on to post a video of his speech on social media with the caption: ‘Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial’.
The singer Pink weighed in on the controversy, reposting an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism, which slammed Macklemore’s performance.
The caption on the post read: ‘Awful – Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing last night in NJ, not to be ambushed by Macklemore’s anti-Israel propaganda.
‘Instead, Macklemore walked onstage in a keffiyeh, shouted “Free Palestine,” accused Israel of a false “genocide,” and turned a mainstream event into a political nightmare against the Jewish state. Concert-goers are owed apologies and refunds.’
In response, Macklemore appeared to double down on his comments last week, as he posted a clip of his speech from MetLife Stadium with the caption: ‘Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial’.
Pink did not add any additional commentary aside from re-sharing the post.
In 2014, Macklemore issued an apology after wearing a disguise on stage in Seattle that many condemned as an anti-Semitic Jewish caricature.
In his apology after the Jewish caricature controversy, he said: ‘There is no worse feeling than being misunderstood, especially when people are hurt or offended… I respect all cultures and all people.
‘I would never intentionally put down anybody for the fabric that makes them who they are. I love human beings, love originality, and… happen to love a weird outfit from time to time.’
Macklemore added that he never thought he looked Jewish. ‘Some people there thought I looked like Ringo, some Abe Lincoln. If anything, I thought I looked like Humpty Hump with a bowl cut,’ he said.
