Ed Sheeran Tour Rocked by Mass Walkout as Finneas and Three Acts Quit After Macklemore Axe

Ed Sheeran's 'Loop' Tour has been rocked by a mass walkout after Finneas and three other supporting acts withdrew following Macklemore's removal over his pro-Palestinian remarks, turning an already heated dispute into a wider crisis for the singer's international stadium run.

Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham announced they would no longer open for Sheeran, while Irish folk band Beoga, which had also been performing on the tour, pulled out. Their departures mean all four acts scheduled to support upcoming dates have now withdrawn.

Finneas and Three Acts Quit Ed Sheeran Tour

Finneas, who was scheduled to support Sheeran across six South American dates in November, said he had decided to withdraw and expressed his support for Palestinians.

Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe also stepped away despite describing Sheeran as a friend who had changed his life. Rowe said he could not continue with the tour following Macklemore's removal.

Beoga, who have worked with Sheeran for more than a decade and featured on his 2017 hit 'Galway Girl,' followed Rowe in leaving. The band said it remained friends with Sheeran but supported dialogue over the plight of Palestinians.

Danish band Lukas Graham later joined the walkout, arguing that artists should be able to speak about war and civilian deaths.

Why Was Macklemore Dropped From 'Loop' Tour?

The controversy began after Macklemore used his appearances at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium to voice support for Palestinians.

During his 4 September performance, the rapper told the crowd he wanted people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten before declaring 'Free Palestine.' He reiterated his position during his second appearance the following night.

The comments prompted criticism and a petition from the Israeli American Council calling for Macklemore's removal.

Messina Touring Group subsequently confirmed Macklemore would not appear on the remaining US dates, saying venues had warned they would not allow concerts to proceed with him on the line-up, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.

Robert Kraft Defends Blocking Macklemore

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft confirmed he opposed Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, where Sheeran has concerts scheduled for 25 and 26 September.

Kraft said Macklemore's recent actions and what he described as a history of 'antisemitic rhetoric and imagery' had crossed a line for the venue.

He insisted the decision was not intended to diminish Palestinian suffering or prevent people from advocating for Palestinians.

Macklemore claimed Kraft had also rallied other stadium owners and that Sheeran was effectively given an ultimatum over keeping him on the tour. Kraft confirmed his own opposition to Macklemore appearing at Gillette Stadium but did not publicly confirm that broader allegation.

Ed Sheeran Says Macklemore Axe Was Not His Decision

Sheeran has pushed back against suggestions that he personally removed Macklemore, saying the decision ultimately rested with the promoter.

'Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine,' Sheeran said, adding that Macklemore's tour contract was with the promoter rather than him.

The British singer said he had attempted to broker conversations between those involved but was unable to find a solution before the venues and promoter made their final decision.

Sheeran also addressed criticism of his public position on Israel and Palestine, saying he was 'appalled' by the conflict and describing the suffering on both sides as a human tragedy.

'I am not complicit,' he said, explaining that choosing not to publicly disclose his personal views did not mean he did not care.

The withdrawal of Finneas, Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham has now widened the fallout beyond Macklemore's cancelled US appearances, affecting supporting acts scheduled across both the North and South American legs of Sheeran's 'Loop' Tour.