Ed Sheeran’s tour has been hit by a major shake-up after all four remaining support acts announced their departure following rapper Macklemore’s removal from the lineup over his pro-Palestinian remarks. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Irish folk band Beoga each announced that they would no longer participate in upcoming dates.
Highlights
- Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga have withdrawn from Sheeran’s tour.
- Their departures followed Macklemore’s removal from the lineup.
- Macklemore had voiced support for Palestinians during performances in New Jersey.
- Sheeran says the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter.
- The departing artists have cited freedom of expression and support for Palestinians.
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Macklemore Exit Sparks Tour Fallout
Ed Sheeran’s ongoing tour has been thrown into further controversy after the remaining support acts announced that they would walk away from upcoming performances.
The departures came after rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour following comments he made in support of Palestinians during concerts in New Jersey.
During one of the performances, Macklemore voiced support for a free Palestine and highlighted the suffering of people in Gaza. His remarks subsequently drew criticism from Jewish organisations, while some venues reportedly raised concerns about having him perform.
Sheeran Says He Did Not Remove Macklemore
Ed Sheeran has sought to distance himself from the decision, saying the move was made by the tour promoter rather than him.
The singer said he had spoken with venues in an attempt to find a solution but ultimately could not prevent the change.
Sheeran also said he did not want his concerts to become political forums, pointing to the diverse nature of his audience and the presence of young fans.
He said he respects Macklemore’s decision to speak about issues he believes in but prefers to use his own platform to promote dialogue and bring people together.
Finneas Announces His Departure
Among those to leave is Finneas, the Grammy-winning musician and brother of Billie Eilish.
Finneas said artists should be able to speak about oppression without being silenced. He subsequently announced that he would no longer take part in his scheduled dates with Sheeran.
Finneas also publicly expressed his support for Palestinians and their cause.
Other Artists Follow
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe also confirmed his withdrawal, saying the decision was not one he made lightly.
Rowe acknowledged his friendship with Sheeran and credited him with having had a significant impact on his career. However, he said he could not continue with the tour given the circumstances surrounding Macklemore’s removal.
Danish band Lukas Graham also announced its departure, saying artists should be able to discuss war, civilian deaths and the suffering of children regardless of where those events occur.
Irish folk band Beoga, which had been performing with Sheeran during his shows, also stepped away from the tour.
What Happens to the Tour?
The departures leave Sheeran’s upcoming shows facing a significant change to their lineups.
The controversy has also opened a wider discussion within the music industry about the boundaries between entertainment, political expression and the responsibilities of artists using major platforms.
For now, Sheeran has maintained that he wants his concerts to remain spaces where audiences from different backgrounds can come together, while the departing artists have chosen to make their own positions on the controversy public.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Ed Sheeran’s tour has become the latest example of how difficult it can be for major artists to separate music, personal beliefs and public debate.
