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Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has lost every single one of its supporting acts within the span of just a few days. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and the Irish band Beoga all withdrew from upcoming dates after fellow opener Macklemore was removed from the tour following comments he made in support of Palestinians. The tour now heads into its remaining shows with no opening acts at all.
It All Started With Two Shows in New Jersey
The controversy traces back to two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, where Macklemore expressed solidarity with people in Gaza and the West Bank, shouted “Free Palestine,” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Several venue owners subsequently told Sheeran’s team they would not host the tour if Macklemore remained on the bill, and he was formally dropped from the U.S. dates on Monday.
Finneas Was the First to Walk Away
Finneas, best known for his work with sister Billie Eilish, was the first to withdraw, pulling out of his scheduled South American dates set to begin in November. “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” he wrote on Instagram. “I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Lukas Graham Followed Within Minutes
Danish pop act Lukas Graham followed within minutes, framing the decision around who gets to control public conversation during wartime. “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,” the group wrote, adding that they remained grateful to Sheeran personally despite the difficult decision to leave.
Aaron Rowe Tied His Decision to Irish History
Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe connected his decision directly to his own national history. “As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” he wrote, adding he needed to “be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonization.” Humanitarian groups and a United Nations commission have described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, a characterization Israel and allies including the United States have denied.
Beoga’s Statement Used the Sharpest Language of the Group
Beoga, the traditional Irish folk band that regularly joined Sheeran onstage during his set, used considerably sharper language in its own statement, saying it departed “following the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies.” The band, describing itself as founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, said it had supported Macklemore’s MetLife performance and claimed more than 1,000 Palestinians had been killed since the most recent ceasefire.
Macklemore Names Robert Kraft as the Man Behind His Removal
Macklemore has directly named New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft as the force behind his removal, claiming Kraft rallied other stadium owners into issuing Sheeran an ultimatum. Kraft confirmed he personally barred Macklemore from his own Gillette Stadium, citing the rapper’s “recent actions” and what he called “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” that he said was hurtful to the Jewish community. Kraft did not address the broader coordination claim.
Sheeran Says the Decision Was Never His to Make
Sheeran has maintained throughout that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his own to make. He said it came from Messina Touring Group, the tour’s promoter, after pressure from individual venues. “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so,” Sheeran wrote, adding that “those who know my heart know my values too.”
The Backlash Was Already Building Before Openers Left
Reaction to Macklemore’s original MetLife performance split sharply well before any openers actually withdrew. Singer Pink publicly criticized his onstage comments, and a petition circulated opposing his continued appearances on the tour. Macklemore has since pledged to donate $1 million to Palestinian support groups and publicly invited Kraft to match that donation, a challenge Kraft has since responded to separately.
The Tour Now Has Zero Confirmed Opening Acts
With Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga all gone, Sheeran’s Loop Tour currently has no confirmed opening acts for its remaining dates. Representatives for Sheeran did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the departures. Whether new openers get announced, or the tour continues without any supporting acts at all, remains unresolved as the controversy continues playing out publicly.