FINNEAS, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Aaron Rowe have withdrawn from upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore, following the rapper’s removal from the tour over his pro-Palestine comments.
Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates after making the comments during a 4 September performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During a speech, he told the crowd that he wanted people in Gaza and “the occupied West Bank” to know “we have not forgotten about them,” before saying “free Palestine”.
His comments subsequently drew objections from the Israeli American Council and some venue owners.
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FINNEAS, who was scheduled to open for Sheeran across six South American dates in November, announced his withdrawal on social media on 15 September.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” he wrote. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
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Rowe, who previously opened for Sheeran in Australia and was scheduled to appear across the remaining North American dates, also announced his departure from the tour.
“I don’t take the decision lightly,” the Irish singer-songwriter wrote, thanking Sheeran for his friendship and the opportunities he had given him.
“But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” Rowe continued, before explaining his decision to leave the tour. “I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal.”
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Beoga, the Irish band that performs as part of Sheeran’s live band, subsequently announced that they would leave the US tour as well.
“We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be,” the band wrote. “We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.”
Danish pop band Lukas Graham also withdrew. Frontman Lukas Forchhammer wrote: “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.”
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The withdrawals came after Sheeran addressed Macklemore’s removal in a statement, saying several stadium owners had refused to host the tour if the rapper remained on the lineup.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote, adding that he had spent the week attempting to find a solution.
Sheeran also said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and the “suffering and pain caused on both sides”, but that the venues and promoter ultimately made the final decision.
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The development has also drawn reactions from artists and public figures including Kehlani and children’s educator Ms Rachel, who expressed support for Macklemore.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company operates Gillette Stadium, said the decision regarding Macklemore was based on what he described as the rapper’s “recent actions” and a “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery”. Kraft added that he would be willing to meet with Macklemore to discuss the matter.
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