Ed Sheeran Tour Faces Opener Exodus After Macklemore Is Dropped Following Controversial Speech

Ed Sheeran's US LOOP Tour has lost its scheduled opening acts after Macklemore was removed from eight planned appearances following his 'Free Palestine' speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 and 5 September.

Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga have announced their withdrawals, while Myles Smith has confirmed that he is no longer part of the tour.

Macklemore had been due to support Sheeran at eight of the tour's remaining 10 US shows. His removal followed a boycott petition and objections from venues after he used his New Jersey performances to speak in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

During the 5 September show, the 43-year-old rapper wore a keffiyeh and performed his 2024 song 'Hind's Hall' while footage of Gaza appeared on a large screen behind him.

He told the audience that one reason for joining the tour was to say two words on stadium stages across America, 'Free Palestine'.

Ed Sheeran Says Venues Threatened To Cancel Shows

Sheeran, 35, said the tour's promoter decided to remove Macklemore, not him.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the singer said venues hosting forthcoming dates had warned organisers that concerts would not proceed if Macklemore remained on the bill.

'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 wrote.

Sheeran said he spent the following week speaking with venues, promoters, and activists to find a resolution. Those discussions included Robert Kraft, chief executive of the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Sheeran is scheduled to perform at the stadium on 25 and 26 September.

'I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge,' Sheeran said. '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.'

Messina Touring Group, the promoter for the tour's American dates, said venues had indicated that they would not permit concerts to take place with Macklemore on the line-up. A spokesperson said cancelling the shows would affect hundreds of thousands of fans.

Sheeran said he was 'appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine' and described the suffering on both sides as 'a human tragedy'. He maintained that the tour would continue because fans had made plans, while crew members, musicians and other support artists relied on the shows for work.

The singer also explained that he avoids using his professional platform for politics because his audiences include children and people from different backgrounds. He nevertheless said he respected Macklemore's determination to speak publicly about his beliefs.

Macklemore Attributes Decision to Robert Kraft

In an Instagram statement, Macklemore claimed Sheeran told him Kraft personally contacted the singer and said the rapper would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium.

Macklemore further alleged that Kraft rallied other stadium owners and presented Sheeran with an ultimatum. Those allegations come from Macklemore's account of private conversations.

Sheeran confirmed that Kraft was among the people he spoke with, but said the final decision belonged to the promoter and venues.

Kraft defended the decision to block Macklemore from the Gillette Stadium concerts. In a statement, he said the venue had a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment and ensuring its events did not offer 'a platform for hate speech'.

Kraft cited Macklemore's recent conduct, material shown during the New Jersey performances and what he characterised as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. He said those factors meant the rapper's participation in the 25 and 26 September concerts would 'cross that line'. These were Kraft's assessments, not uncontested findings.

Macklemore said he did not blame Sheeran personally, describing his long-time friend as having been placed in a 'f***ed up position'. The rapper argued that taking a public position could cost an artist money, sponsorships, festival bookings, relationships and access.

He also said he hoped the disagreement would not end his 13-year friendship with Sheeran. 'There is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed,' Macklemore wrote.

Ed Sheeran Openers Withdraw From LOOP Tour

Finneas said he would leave his scheduled dates because 'artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed'. He added that he stood with Palestine and its people.

Rowe acknowledged that Sheeran was a friend who had changed his life, but said his Irish background informed his response to 'genocide, forced famine and violent occupation'.

Lukas Graham said artists should be able to discuss war, civilians being killed and children's right to grow up, wherever they live.

Beoga, the Irish band that joins Sheeran on stage during 'Galway Girl', said their friendship would continue. However, the group said performing in venues that silence anyone advocating for a free Palestine was not an option.

Smith said he was no longer on the tour but defended Sheeran as a friend, writing that the singer was 'not the victim' and 'also not the perpetrator'.