Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has been thrown into controversy after a growing number of supporting musicians withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, following the rapper’s removal from his remaining U.S. dates.
The dispute began after Macklemore used his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5 to voice support for Palestinians. During the shows, he repeatedly said “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.” Macklemore also addressed Jewish concertgoers, arguing that his criticism of Israel and allegations of genocide should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people.
Following the performances, venues scheduled to host upcoming Loop Tour dates objected to Macklemore remaining on the bill. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said it had been informed by venues that concerts would not be permitted to go ahead with Macklemore in the lineup, potentially jeopardizing the remaining shows and affecting hundreds of thousands of ticket holders.
Among the venue owners involved was billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran is scheduled to perform on September 25 and 26.
Kraft confirmed that Gillette Stadium would not permit Macklemore to appear. In a statement, he said the decision was based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material presented during the MetLife performances and what Kraft described as a broader history of “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” that he said had been offensive and hurtful to Jewish people.
Kraft said Gillette Stadium was committed to ensuring its events did not provide a platform for hate speech. He also maintained that the decision was not intended to deny Palestinian suffering or prevent advocacy for Palestinians, while arguing that such advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community.
Macklemore disputes that characterization. He has argued that criticism of Israel, opposition to Zionism and support for Palestinian rights should not be conflated with antisemitism. He also acknowledged that antisemitism is real.
Macklemore alleged that Sheeran told him Kraft had contacted the singer and said the rapper would not be permitted to perform at Gillette Stadium. Macklemore further claimed Kraft had rallied other stadium owners, resulting in an ultimatum that venues would refuse to host Sheeran’s concerts if Macklemore remained on the tour. Kraft confirmed his own venue’s refusal but did not directly address Macklemore’s allegation that he organized other stadium owners.
Ed Sheeran: “It was not mine”
Sheeran subsequently spoke publicly about Macklemore’s removal, stressing that he had not personally made the decision.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote in a statement Tuesday.
Sheeran said venues had communicated that they would not host the concerts if Macklemore remained on the bill. He also said he spent the previous week attempting to find a compromise, including speaking directly with Kraft, promoters and activists representing opposing perspectives on the controversy.
Ultimately, according to Sheeran, the venues and promoter made the final decision.
That distinction has become significant as criticism has increasingly surrounded the tour. Sheeran said he would not abandon the concerts, pointing to fans who had already made plans as well as touring crew, musicians and supporting artists who depend on the shows for employment.
Aaron Rowe quits in protest
The fallout intensified Tuesday when Irish singer Aaron Rowe announced that he was withdrawing as a support act from the North American tour.
Rowe emphasized that the decision was difficult because of his friendship with Sheeran and the impact Sheeran has had on his career. But he linked his withdrawal to Ireland’s history of colonization, famine and occupation and said he could not continue performing while, in his view, wealthy and powerful figures were silencing artists speaking about Palestinians.
Rowe concluded his statement with “FREE PALESTINE.”
His announcement is particularly notable because Rowe had been brought into the remaining U.S. dates as one of the replacements for Macklemore.
Beoga walks away from Sheeran’s band
Irish traditional band Beoga also announced its departure from the remaining U.S. tour.
The group has a longstanding relationship with Sheeran and had been appearing during his set, performing songs they had helped write. Beoga said its members remained friends with Sheeran and appreciated the opportunity to perform in stadiums of that scale, but said continuing under the circumstances was “simply not an option for us.”
In its statement, Beoga directly accused “zionist lobbies” of silencing Macklemore and identified Kraft’s record of opposing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement as relevant to its decision. Those are Beoga’s allegations and characterization; the available reporting establishes Kraft’s opposition to Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, but does not independently establish all of the band’s broader claims about lobbying or responsibility for the other venues’ decisions.
Beoga also said its members were founding participants in Irish Artists for Palestine and described themselves as committed activists for Palestinian rights.
Finneas and Lukas Graham join the departures
The withdrawals quickly spread beyond the Irish acts.
Finneas, who had been scheduled to support Sheeran during six South American shows later this year, announced that he would no longer participate. He said artists should not be silenced for speaking on behalf of oppressed people and expressed solidarity with Palestinians.
Danish act Lukas Graham also withdrew, bringing the number of supporting acts reported to have pulled out to four: Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Finneas and Lukas Graham.
The departures leave Sheeran facing a substantially altered touring lineup just days after Macklemore’s removal.
