All supporting acts and backing band Beoga have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s upcoming tour dates in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was dropped following pro-Palestine remarks on stage, per nme.com.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga and Aaron Rowe pulled out after Macklemore was removed from upcoming Gillette Stadium shows following pressure from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
IMacklemore used New Jersey sets to call for a free Palestine and criticize US immigration policy, prompting Kraft to cite hate speech concerns.
Finneas withdrew from South American dates, stating artists must not be silenced. Irish folk band Beoga and replacement act Aaron Rowe cited historical parallels with colonialism, while Danish group Lukas Graham argued bank balances should not dictate speech.
Kraft defended the venue decision, separating advocacy for Palestinians from opposition to antisemitism and Hamas.
Ed Sheeran has stated that removing rapper Macklemore from the tour was a promoter and venue decision, according to indy100.com.
Responding on Instagram on September 15, Ed Sheeran stated he worked to build bridges but venue positions were final.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said, adding he would not abandon fans, crew or dependent musicians. He defended his apolitical live shows, noting young audiences do not expect political forums while affirming he holds personal views and supports causes privately.
The fallout highlights mounting cultural sector flashpoints over Middle East discourse, pitting venue operators enforcing conduct policies against artist-led free speech campaigns.