Three supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore is dropped over Palestine comments

Three supporting acts have quit Ed Sheeran’s tour after rapper Macklemore was dropped over pro-Palestinian remarks made on stage.

Hours after Sheeran said he would not be drawn into a public debate about the Gaza war, Aaron Rowe, the band Beoga, and Finneas announced on Instagram that they were pulling out of the tour.

Rowe had been selected as one of Macklemore’s replacements for Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga served as Sheeran’s backing band. Finneas was scheduled to join Sheeran’s tour in South America later this year.

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

Aaron Rowe posted his own message on Instagram, writing in part, “I don’t take the decision likely. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this.”

Beoga said in part, “We have made the decision to depart as Ed Sheeran’s band on the remaining US Loop tour, following the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies.”

On Tuesday, Ed Sheeran addressed Macklemore being removed as his opening act after the rapper made pro-Palestinian remarks onstage. He said the decision was made strictly by promoters. The British singer also maintained he would not enter the public conversation regarding the conflict in Gaza.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran posted on Instagram on Tuesday. “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.”

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Sheeran’s post followed a statement from Macklemore on Monday, in which the rapper said he was removed from the Loop Tour after shouting “Free Palestine!” during a Sept. 5 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey while performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”

Addressing the audience during the show, Macklemore said: “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you.”

Macklemore said Monday on Instagram that several U.S. venues notified the promoter they would forbid him from appearing as Sheeran’s opener, led by NFL’s New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Kraft’s company, Kraft Group, owns Gillette Stadium.

In a statement released Monday, Kraft said the decision to remove Macklemore followed 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.”

Sheeran wrote in his post that he “spoke with the venues at length all week to try to build a bridge,” but acknowledged that “the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.”

A growing number of organizations and experts assert that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, an allegation Israel firmly denies.

Macklemore was scheduled for eight of Sheeran’s 10 remaining stadium shows, resuming Saturday in Philadelphia with Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe billed. Upcoming stops include Gillette Stadium, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.

Sheeran said he aims to use music to bring diverse audiences together, adding that while he holds personal views on “this devastating conflict,” he chooses not to speak publicly because concertgoers “do not expect a political forum.” He added: “I am not complicit.”

“I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes,” Sheeran added. “However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. 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.”