Ed Sheeran faces cancellation as ALL remaining opening acts drop out of his tour after Macklemore was kicked off his tour following 'Free Palestine' speech

Ed Sheeran's LOOP Tour in the United States has entered a period of uncertainty as all remaining opening acts have withdrawn in response to the removal of rapper Macklemore from the lineup. This unfolding controversy stems from Macklemore’s outspoken support for Palestinians during his performances at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.

Macklemore, who was scheduled to open for Sheeran at eight of the ten remaining shows on the US leg of the tour, was abruptly dropped following a backlash that included a boycott petition targeting him for his pro-Palestinian remarks. These statements, delivered on September 4 and 5, included visual and verbal advocacy for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, which sparked concern among some venue owners and stakeholders.

After the announcement of Macklemore's removal, a cascade of support acts publicly declared their withdrawal from the tour. Among those who exited were Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and frequent collaborator, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish group Lukas Graham, traditional Irish band Beoga, and Sheeran’s close friend and former tour collaborator Myles Smith. Each act released individual statements explaining their decisions, highlighting solidarity with Macklemore’s stance and emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression.

Finneas emphasized his refusal to be silenced when advocating for oppressed communities, explicitly linking his withdrawal to his support for Palestinian people. Similarly, Aaron Rowe, reflecting on Ireland's own history of conflict and occupation, expressed discomfort with perceived billionaire influence suppressing dissenting voices. Lukas Graham cited their cultural background rooted in open dialogue and personal expression, stating that economic success should not diminish one’s right to speak on issues of war and human suffering.

Beoga, who have a longstanding friendship with Sheeran and often perform with him onstage, particularly during "Galway Girl," also chose to exit the tour. The group criticized venues that they felt were complicit in silencing advocacy for Palestine, underscoring the human toll of recent violence in the region.

Myles Smith, though no longer a tour participant, publicly clarified his continued personal support for Sheeran while maintaining a focus on the humanitarian crisis. Smith detailed his multicultural experiences and commitment to compassion, indicating that supporting Palestinian rights does not necessitate alienating friends or allies.

The catalyst for this chain of events was a reported ultimatum from Robert Kraft, billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran is scheduled to perform later this month. According to Macklemore, Sheeran informed him that Kraft personally intervened, rallying other venue owners to demand Macklemore’s removal from the tour, threatening to cancel future shows otherwise. Kraft’s office later justified the decision by citing concerns about hate speech and offensive rhetoric linked to Macklemore’s statements and imagery, particularly regarding the Jewish community.

Sheeran addressed the situation publicly, clarifying that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by promoters and venue owners, not himself. He explained that the controversy arose from how Macklemore’s message was conveyed during performances rather than the entirety of his statements. Attempts to mediate between parties, including discussions with promoters, venues, and activists from both sides, ultimately failed to resolve the issue.

Sheeran reiterated his commitment to maintaining a politically neutral platform, emphasizing that his concerts serve as spaces of unity and escapism for diverse audiences, including many young fans. He stressed that his removal of Macklemore was not a reflection of his personal views but a response to external pressures threatening the continuation of the tour.

The promoters confirmed that venues for upcoming dates refused to allow concerts featuring Macklemore, which would have risked cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. Consequently, Macklemore’s participation was terminated to preserve the tour schedule.

This development leaves the LOOP Tour without any opening acts for the remainder of its American dates, with 18 shows pending before the year’s end. How the tour will adapt to the absence of support performers remains unclear, as Sheeran’s team has yet to provide further updates.

The incident highlights the complex intersection of art, politics, and commerce within the live music industry. It raises questions about the extent to which artists can express political beliefs on stage and the influence of venue owners and promoters in shaping tour lineups. For Sheeran, a performer known for avoiding overt political commentary, the episode has introduced an unprecedented challenge to his touring operations and artistic collaborations.