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.

"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."

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The Irish band Beoga echoed a similar sentiment in a social media post, as they announced their departure from the tour in response to what they called "silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies”.

The Danish pop band Lukas Graham also announced their departure from the remaining shows.

'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'

- Irish singer Aaron Rowe

"We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up," the 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 in which he used his platform to raise awareness of 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 don't have them and it doesn't mean I don't care," he said.

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Source: Middle East Eye