Four Artists Exit Ed Sheeran Tour in Solidarity with Macklemore

Four supporting acts have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran's North and South American tour, expressing solidarity with rapper Macklemore after he was removed from the tour for pro-Palestinian comments made onstage. Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas announced their departures on Instagram.

Rowe and Lukas Graham were slated to replace Macklemore on remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga had been performing with Sheeran. Finneas, brother and collaborator of Billie Eilish, was scheduled to join Sheeran in South America.

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

Rowe and Beoga referenced their country's history of colonialism in their statements. Beoga, as founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, declared their commitment to activism. Rowe described himself as an Irish person aware of "genocide, forced famine and violent occupation," adding he could not "stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up."

Lukas Graham, known for hits like "7 Years," called the decision difficult and expressed gratitude to Sheeran. The band posted, "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," seemingly referencing billionaire Robert Kraft's role in Macklemore's removal.

Sheeran addressed Macklemore's ouster on Instagram, attributing the decision to tour promoters and stating it was not his own. He emphasized his commitment to fans, crew, and other performers, saying he 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."

Sheeran stated he had spoken with venues "all week to try and build a bridge," but the promoters' decision was final. He reiterated his goal of using music to unite people and explained his personal decision to refrain from public political commentary during shows. "I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed,” he wrote.

Macklemore said he was removed from the tour after exclaiming "Free Palestine!" during a Sept. 5 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. He also stated that several U.S. venues had informed the promoter they would not allow him to perform as Sheeran’s opening act, a stance he attributed to efforts led by Kraft, owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium.

In a statement, Kraft's representatives said the decision to cancel Macklemore was due to his recent comments and "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community."

Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of Sheeran’s remaining 10 stadium tour dates, which were set to resume Saturday in Philadelphia.