All supporting acts of Ed Sheeran tour quit after Macklemore's firing

All four supporting acts for Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Loop Tour dates have pulled out of his shows after rapper Macklemore was fired for making pro-Palestine statements while performing on tour.

The withdrawals came after Macklemore voiced out his support during two performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. 

Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Danish pop band Lukas Graham have all announced that they will no longer take part in the upcoming dates.

Finneas was the latest to announce his withdrawal on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The American singer had been scheduled to open for Sheeran at six South American shows in November.

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” Finneas wrote on social media. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

His announcement came just hours after Sheeran addressed the controversy, explaining why Macklemore was no longer part of the tour.

The dispute began after Macklemore used part of his Sept. 4 performance to speak about the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. During an approximately two-minute speech, the Grammy-winning artist said he wanted Palestinians to know that they had not been forgotten and ended his remarks with the words “free Palestine.”

The speech drew opposition from the Israeli American Council, which launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from Sheeran’s tour. Some venue owners also objected to his continued involvement, including Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and a prominent donor to Israel.

Finneas was not the only supporting act to pull out.

Aaron Rowe, an Irish singer who previously opened for Sheeran in Australia, was scheduled to perform at the tour’s remaining 10 North American dates but announced his withdrawal shortly before Finneas.

Rowe said the decision was difficult because of his friendship with Sheeran and the impact the singer had on his career.

“But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” Rowe wrote on Instagram. “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.”

“I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal,” he added.

Beoga, the Irish folk group that has performed as Sheeran’s backing band, followed Rowe by announcing its departure from the U.S. dates.

The band said they were grateful for the opportunity to perform in large stadiums and emphasized its long friendship with Sheeran, which has lasted more than a decade. At the same time, its members said they supported Macklemore’s message and believed in continuing to speak about the situation facing Palestinians.

“We are a traditional Irish band who never saw ourselves playing in stadiums of that size and that opportunity is not lost on us,” the band wrote on social media. “We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.”

The band also said its members had been present for Macklemore’s performance and speech and fully supported his message. Beoga identified itself as a founding member of the Irish Artists For Palestine movement and said it would remain committed to activism for justice.

“Up the workers. Free Palestine,” the band added.

Danish pop band Lukas Graham also announced its withdrawal on Tuesday. 

“We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them,” lead singer Lukas Forchhammer wrote.

He also criticized the influence of wealth in determining whose views receive a platform. “Having more money didn’t make your opinion worth more than anyone else’s. Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.”

The four withdrawals came as Sheeran explained his own position in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram.

The "Thinking Out Loud" singer said Macklemore’s removal was not his decision. He said Kraft and several other stadium owners had made clear that they would not allow the tour to perform at their venues if Macklemore remained part of the lineup. Sheeran said efforts to bring the different sides together for discussions had been unsuccessful and that the promoter and venues had ultimately made the decision.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me,” Sheeran wrote.

Sheeran also said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and by “the suffering and pain caused on both sides.”

Despite the controversy, he said he would continue with the tour.

“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”