Ed Sheeran is left without his supporting artists on the Loop tour, as four artists withdrew in support of Macklemore after he was dropped due to his statements about Palestine. Finneas, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk group Beoga all announced that they are ending their participation in Ed Sheeran's tour.
Reasons for Artists' Withdrawal
Finneas was scheduled to perform as Ed Sheeran's supporting artist on six tour dates in South America in November, while Rowe was set to appear at the remaining 10 North American shows. Beoga, which has collaborated with Ed Sheeran for over a decade, was present as his backing band on this tour. These withdrawals came after Macklemore made statements about Palestine during Ed Sheeran's concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, saying, "Free Palestine."
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Reactions to Macklemore's Statements
These statements led to a petition from the Israeli-American Council to have Macklemore removed, as well as protests from some venue owners. One of these owners, Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, where Ed Sheeran was scheduled to perform, stated that several stadium owners had refused to host future shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
Sheeran wrote on Instagram, "Macklemore's withdrawal from the tour was the organizer's decision, not mine." He added that he had tried to "build bridges" and find a solution over the past week but had been unsuccessful. He said, "I never want to disappoint my fans who have planned for this, and I also cannot abandon the tour team and other artists and musicians who depend on me."
Hours after Sheeran's statement, the remaining artists began to announce their withdrawals. Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish and Grammy and Oscar-winning musician and producer, stated that he would no longer be present at the six scheduled South American shows. He wrote on Instagram, "Artists should not be silent when speaking for the oppressed." He also added that he "stands with the people of Palestine and their nation."
Aaron Rowe, who had previously performed for Ed Sheeran in Australia, also withdrew from the tour despite Sheeran describing him as a friend who "changed his life." He said, "We Irish are well aware of genocide, forced famine, and violent occupation. I cannot sit by and let billionaires use their power to silence righteous voices."
The Beoga group also announced that they would be parting ways with Sheeran's supporting group for the remaining shows in America after describing it as "silencing Macklemore by Zionist lobbyists." The group said, "We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years, and that friendship will continue. We believe in dialogue as a means to advance the issues of the Palestinian people."
Lukas Graham also withdrew, stating that people should be free to speak about the suffering of civilians. He wrote, "We must be able to talk about war, about the killing of civilians, and about children who have the right to grow up. Wherever they live, whatever flag is flying above them, money does not give anyone the right to ownership of the conversation."
Macklemore defended his statements, saying that his support for Palestine does not mean criticism of the Jewish people. After being dropped, the rapper said he does not regret using these two shows to speak about Palestine. He wrote on Instagram, "I didn't need 10 shows from Ed. I needed 2. Two opportunities to stand in front of 90,000 people and say words that have somehow become very dangerous. Free Palestine."
Kraft defended his opposition to Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, stating that this position was based on "recent actions" of the rapper and his extensive history of disrespect and anti-Semitic symbols, which he believes have severely harmed the Jewish community. He also said he welcomes a meeting with Macklemore, and the ultimate goal is "peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hatred."
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