Ed Sheeran Loses Followers After Remaining Opening Acts Quit Amid Macklemore Palestine Row

Ed Sheeran's Instagram following reportedly fell by more than 200,000 in a matter of days after four remaining supporting acts and his backing band withdrew from the US leg of his Loop Tour amid a dispute over Macklemore's removal from the lineup.

The withdrawals followed Macklemore's removal from the tour after he made pro-Palestinian remarks during performances at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium earlier this month.

Sheeran said the decision was made by the promoter after venues indicated they would not host shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.

Reports tracking the accounts of five artists who were dropped from or withdrew from the tour found that they gained a combined 1.638 million Instagram followers over the period examined. The figure includes Macklemore and the four acts who withdrew, according to Newsweek-derived coverage.

Support Acts Withdraw From Tour

Finneas was among the first to announce his withdrawal. In a statement shared on Instagram, he 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.'

Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe also announced that he would leave the tour. He said he could not 'stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up'.

Rowe also referred to what he described as 'genocide, forced famine and violent occupation', drawing on Ireland's historical experience of conflict and occupation.

Lukas Graham and Beoga also announced their departures, with both statements criticising the circumstances surrounding Macklemore's removal.

Beoga had been performing as Sheeran's backing band rather than simply appearing as an opening act. The Irish folk group said that performing in venues that silence people advocating for a 'Free Palestine' was 'simply not an option for us'.

The withdrawals involved four confirmed acts: Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga. Finneas was scheduled to perform on South American dates, while Beoga had been part of Sheeran's touring band.

Sheeran Says Promoter Made Decision

In a six-slide statement shared on Instagram, Sheeran said Macklemore's removal 'was the promoter's decision, not mine'.

He said venues on the upcoming US dates had told the promoter they would not host the shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup.

'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,' Sheeran wrote. 'I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge... but the venue's and promoter's decision was final.'

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium through the Kraft Group, said he opposed Macklemore performing at the Massachusetts venue. Kraft cited what he described as the rapper's 'broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery'.

That wording reflects Kraft's characterisation and should not be presented as an independently established fact without separate documentation.

Macklemore later alleged that Sheeran told him Kraft had rallied other stadium owners and that they had given Sheeran an ultimatum: either Macklemore left the tour or the shows would not go ahead at their venues.

That account has not been independently established. Sheeran's public statement, by contrast, attributed the decision to the promoter and said venues had communicated their position.

Sheeran Tour Continues

The withdrawals left the remaining US dates without scheduled opening acts, although Finneas' South American commitments should be treated separately. The tour is scheduled to continue, with the next show in Philadelphia on 19 September.

Sheeran said the tour would continue and that he would not let down fans who had made plans.

He also said his fans came 'from all different backgrounds' and attended his concerts for the music rather than political commentary. The dispute has nevertheless made the tour a focal point of a political controversy.

Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg also called for Sheeran to cancel the remaining shows, arguing that stadium owners should not determine what artists can say onstage, according to reports.

This is a developing story, and details may change as the artists, promoter and venues issue further statements.