Ed Sheeran Tour Loses All Support Acts After Macklemore Is Dropped Over Palestine Comments

Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has been thrown into a major lineup shake-up after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates following his pro-Palestinian comments — and four other supporting artists subsequently announced that they would leave the tour.

Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all withdrew after Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter and venues, rather than by him. Sheeran’s North American stadium run is still scheduled to resume Saturday, September 19, in Philadelphia.

Macklemore Was Removed From Ed Sheeran’s Tour

Macklemore was scheduled to appear on eight of Sheeran’s 10 remaining U.S. stadium dates.

The rapper was removed from the Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during his performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month. Before performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” Macklemore said “Free Palestine” and argued that criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid and opposition to genocide should not be treated as criticism of Jewish people.

Macklemore later said several U.S. venues had told the promoter they would not allow him to perform as Sheeran’s opening act. He attributed a leading role in that effort to Robert Kraft, the owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots. Kraft’s company, the Kraft Group, also owns Gillette Stadium.

Kraft defended the decision, saying it was based on Macklemore’s recent comments as well as what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he said had been offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.

Macklemore has rejected the characterization of his comments as antisemitic, arguing that criticism of the Israeli state and support for Palestinians should not be conflated with hatred of Jewish people.

Ed Sheeran Says the Decision Was Not His

Sheeran addressed the controversy in a lengthy Instagram statement, saying Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision rather than his own.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said.

The singer said he did not want to disappoint fans who had made plans around the shows or abandon the touring crew, support acts and musicians who depend on the tour for work.

Sheeran said he had spent the week speaking with venues in an effort to “build a bridge,” but ultimately the venues and promoter made a final decision.

He also said he has personal views about the Israel-Palestine conflict but does not want to discuss them publicly.

According to Sheeran, people attending his concerts do not expect a “political forum.” He said he wants his music to bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together.

“I am not complicit,” Sheeran wrote, while also saying he respected Macklemore’s willingness to speak publicly about what he believes.

Sheeran added that there can be different approaches to reaching the same goal of peace and said he wants his platform to remain a place of “safety and sanctuary” where dialogue remains open.

Four More Artists Leave the Tour

Within hours of Sheeran’s statement, all four remaining supporting acts connected to the tour announced their departures.

They are:

• Aaron Rowe
• Beoga
• Lukas Graham
• Finneas

Rowe and Lukas Graham were scheduled to replace Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates.

Beoga had a different role. The Irish group was performing with Sheeran during portions of his set and had co-written some of his songs.

Finneas was scheduled to join Sheeran later this year for South American dates. He is also known for his work with his sister, Billie Eilish.

Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking up for oppressed people and wrote that he stands with Palestine and its people.

Rowe said the decision to leave was difficult because of his friendship with Sheeran and the opportunities the British singer had given him. He also referred to Ireland’s history of genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.

Lukas Graham described the withdrawal as a difficult decision and argued that money should not determine who gets to participate in conversations about war and suffering.

Beoga similarly cited its Irish background and said it believes dialogue can help advance the cause of Palestinians.

What Happens to the Remaining Loop Tour Shows?

Sheeran’s North American stadium leg is scheduled to resume on September 19 in Philadelphia.

The remaining itinerary includes major stadium stops such as Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

With Macklemore, Rowe, Lukas Graham and Finneas no longer involved — and Beoga also departing — the tour’s previously announced supporting lineup has changed significantly.

The situation involving Beoga could have a more direct production impact because the group was not simply an opening act. It was also performing as part of Sheeran’s live show.

Beoga has performed with Sheeran on songs including “Galway Girl,” making its departure different from the loss of a traditional support slot.

As of the latest reports, there has not been a clear announcement of replacement opening acts for the affected dates. Sheeran and promoter Messina Touring Group have been asked for further comment.

The Potential Financial Impact

The controversy could also create additional costs for the tour, although there is no confirmed figure for any financial loss caused by the lineup changes.

An analysis by Nine.com.au estimated that a complete cancellation of the North American leg could put between $60 million and $100 million of tour revenue at stake. That is an estimate from the publication, not a reported or confirmed loss.

The analysis noted that stadium tours involve significant expenses beyond artist fees, including trucks, promoter guarantees and hundreds of crew members.

Sudden changes to the lineup can also create additional costs involving replacement artists, contracts, rehearsals and production arrangements.

A change to the performance schedule could create another logistical issue. Stadiums often operate under strict curfews, and extending a headline set to fill time normally occupied by opening acts could potentially create additional costs in some cities.

The timing of audience arrival could also change if there are no opening acts, potentially affecting merchandise and food-and-beverage sales inside stadiums.

At the same time, Sheeran is accustomed to a relatively stripped-back performance format. The Loop Tour has been built around his solo performance, acoustic guitar and loop-pedal setup, meaning the singer is not dependent on a large opening lineup to carry his own set.

Sheeran’s Previous Tour Revenue

Sheeran has previously generated hundreds of millions of dollars from major stadium tours.

According to Nine.com.au, his Mathematics Tour grossed $875 million from 188 shows between 2022 and 2025.

His earlier Divide Tour grossed $776 million.

Those numbers represent the reported grosses of previous tours and should not be interpreted as estimates of the financial damage caused by the current Macklemore dispute.

Why the Gaza Conflict Is Central to the Dispute

The dispute has developed around the intersection of music, political expression, venue control and the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Macklemore has repeatedly used his performances and public statements to support Palestinians. Sheeran, by contrast, has said he does not want his concerts to become venues for public political debate.

The wider conflict remains deeply contested.

The Associated Press has reported that organizations and experts have accused Israel’s wartime actions in Gaza of amounting to genocide. Israel strongly rejects that allegation.

That broader dispute has now become part of a separate argument over whether musicians should be able to express political views while performing at major commercial venues.

For Macklemore, the issue is about his right to speak publicly about Palestinians and Gaza.

For the venues involved, Kraft and other supporters of the decision, the issue also involves Macklemore’s previous statements and what they regard as antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Sheeran has attempted to separate himself from the decision itself while acknowledging that he has personal views about the conflict.

Where the Tour Stands Now

For now, Ed Sheeran’s North American Loop Tour remains scheduled to resume September 19 in Philadelphia.

Macklemore is out of the tour, while Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Finneas and Beoga have also withdrawn.

That leaves Sheeran facing the remaining stadium dates with a substantially changed support lineup and no clear replacement announcement in the latest reports.

The promoter and venues ultimately remain responsible for the current lineup arrangements, while Sheeran has publicly said that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his.

The controversy has therefore moved beyond one artist’s removal: it has become a dispute involving Sheeran, Macklemore, venue owners, the tour promoter and multiple artists over political expression, artistic freedom and the role of music performances in discussions about the Israel-Palestine conflict.