Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after Macklemore was removed from the US dates following pro-Palestinian comments onstage.
by Paul Cashmere
Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has lost all four of its remaining supporting acts after Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the US leg after making pro-Palestinian comments during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Sheeran has said Macklemore’s removal was the decision of promoter Messina Touring Group and the venues hosting the remaining shows, rather than his own decision, but the subsequent mass withdrawal has left the tour facing a significant disruption.
The four departures were announced on Tuesday, hours after Sheeran published a statement addressing the controversy. Finneas was scheduled to open six South American shows in November and December, while Rowe and Lukas Graham had been booked for the remaining North American dates following Macklemore’s removal. Beoga, the Irish folk group who have worked with Sheeran for more than a decade, had also been performing with him during his sets.
Finneas stated, “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” before confirming his withdrawal and expressing his support for Palestine. Lukas Graham described its decision as difficult while arguing that financial power should not determine who can discuss suffering. Rowe and Beoga also cited Ireland’s history of colonialism, forced famine and occupation.
The dispute began after Macklemore spoke about Palestine during his September 4 and 5 performances at MetLife Stadium while introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall”. Macklemore said he wanted audiences to hear the words “Free Palestine” and told Jewish members of the audience that criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people.
Messina Touring Group subsequently confirmed that venues on the remaining US itinerary had informed the promoter they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the bill. The promoter said the decision followed discussions with stakeholders.
Macklemore has alleged that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, pressured Sheeran and other stadium owners to remove him. Kraft has confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium, but has not confirmed Macklemore’s broader allegation that he organised a collective ultimatum.
Kraft said the decision reflected Macklemore’s recent comments and what he described as “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” that he believed had been offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community. Macklemore rejects accusations that his advocacy for Palestinians is antisemitic.
Sheeran has now publicly explained his position, saying he spent the week speaking with venues in an attempt to find a solution. He said the venues and promoter ultimately made the decision.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote. He added that he would not abandon fans, touring personnel or musicians whose livelihoods depend on the shows.
Sheeran also said he has personal views about the conflict but has chosen not to make his concerts a political forum. “I am not complicit,” he wrote, while saying he respected Macklemore’s willingness to speak publicly.
That position has done little to prevent the fallout. Rather than simply losing one support act, Sheeran has now lost every scheduled supporting artist for the upcoming dates. The development also puts the role of artists, promoters and venue owners under greater scrutiny when political expression becomes part of a concert performance.
For Sheeran, the distinction he has drawn is between his own decision-making and the commercial decisions made by the promoter and venues. The four artists who have departed have nevertheless treated Macklemore’s removal as an issue significant enough to end their participation.
Beoga’s departure carries particular significance because the group is not simply an opening act. The Irish musicians have been part of Sheeran’s live operation and have co-written material performed during his concerts. Their withdrawal therefore affects the musical component of the show as well as its support lineup.
The dispute also follows Macklemore’s sustained public advocacy for Palestinians. “Hind’s Hall”, released in 2024, responded to pro-Palestinian student protests at Columbia University, with a second version following later. His recent Loop Tour performances brought that advocacy to some of the largest commercial stages in the United States.
The Loop Tour is scheduled to resume in Philadelphia on September 19, with further stadium performances including Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Macklemore had been scheduled for eight of the final 10 US dates.
The immediate question is how the remaining shows will be presented following the four withdrawals. Sheeran’s statement makes clear that he regards the decision to remove Macklemore as one made outside his direct control. The response from the other artists demonstrates that, regardless of where the formal decision was made, its consequences now extend well beyond Macklemore’s position on the bill.
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