Sheeran Tour in Turmoil After All Acts Quit Over Macklemore Removal

Ed Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour has been thrown into turmoil after opening act Macklemore was removed from the lineup following pro-Palestine statements made on stage. The decision, which Sheeran has stated was made by promoters and venues, has led to a cascade of withdrawals by all supporting acts and his backing band in solidarity with the rapper. Macklemore was dropped from the tour after delivering a speech advocating for a free Palestine during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. The move prompted swift backlash from organizations including the Israeli American Council and billionaire Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, who confirmed he found the remarks deeply offensive. Kraft stated he would not provide a platform for what he characterized as hate speech. In response, all of Sheeran's scheduled support acts-Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe-and the Irish folk band Beoga, which served as his backing band for these dates, have withdrawn from the remaining U.S. shows. Each artist cited their support for Macklemore and the Palestinian people as their reason for leaving the tour.