Four supporting acts have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after Macklemore was removed from the lineup following pro-Palestinian remarks during a recent performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga each announced their departures Tuesday, Sept. 15. Their exits affect the tour’s scheduled supporting lineup and came one day after Macklemore publicly addressed his removal.
What Happened to Macklemore?
Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, had been performing as a supporting act on Sheeran’s North American dates.
During his MetLife Stadium appearance earlier this month, he voiced support for Palestine and performed “Hind’s Hall,” his protest song.
Macklemore later said Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group, had pressured Sheeran’s team after the performance.
Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium, but cited what he described as the rapper’s recent stage comments and a broader history of rhetoric and imagery he considered offensive to the Jewish community.
Sheeran Says Promoter Made the Decision
Sheeran addressed the controversy Tuesday, saying Macklemore’s removal was not his decision.
He said the contract was between Macklemore and concert promoter Messina Touring Group and that several venues had indicated they would not host shows with Macklemore on the lineup.
Messina Touring Group previously said multiple venues would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore included, citing the potential effect on scheduled shows and fans.
Why the Other Artists Left
Finneas said he was withdrawing from his upcoming dates and expressed support for Palestinians. Aaron Rowe said he could not continue while artists speaking about the conflict were, in his view, being silenced.
Lukas Graham also announced his departure, saying artists should be able to discuss war, civilian deaths and children regardless of where they live.
Beoga, Sheeran’s longtime house band, likewise confirmed it was leaving the remaining dates and expressed support for Macklemore’s position.
The departures mean Sheeran’s previously announced supporting lineup has undergone a major change following the dispute over Macklemore’s removal.
The dispute has brought questions about the boundaries between performers’ political expression, venue policies and concert promoters’ contractual decisions into the wider music industry discussion.
The artists involved have publicly described their withdrawals as responses to Macklemore’s removal, while Sheeran has said he attempted to resolve the dispute without canceling scheduled performances.
Finneas, Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga have all confirmed their departures. Sheeran has defended his role by saying the removal was made by the promoter, while Kraft has confirmed that Macklemore was barred from performing at Gillette Stadium.
