Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour has lost its full roster of opening acts after Macklemore’s removal turned a dispute over an onstage political message into a wider test of artists’ speech, venue control and the limits of an ostensibly apolitical concert platform.

Macklemore was removed after telling audiences at MetLife Stadium that people in Gaza and the West Bank had not been forgotten, and saying “Free Palestine”. Subsequent venue owners objected to his remaining appearances, while promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed his departure from the U.S. dates.¹

Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham then withdrew. Their statements broadly framed the decision as silencing advocacy for Palestinians, though each also stressed affection or gratitude toward Sheeran. Finneas wrote: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” adding that he stood “with Palestine and its people.”¹ Lukas Graham argued that artists should be able to discuss war and civilians killed “wherever they live”, while Beoga said it could not continue playing venues that, in its view, restrict such advocacy.¹

Sheeran has disputed the suggestion that he personally chose to remove Macklemore. He said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and its suffering on both sides, but maintained that he does not bring politics onstage because his audiences include people from varied backgrounds. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” he said.²

Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, said he would not allow Macklemore to perform there, citing what he called the rapper’s recent actions and a broader history of rhetoric and imagery he believed had hurt Jewish community members. Kraft said he would welcome a discussion, describing peace and an end to suffering and hate as a shared goal.¹

The backlash has also drawn sharply divided online responses. One post backing Sheeran used hostile language toward Palestine, illustrating how the argument has spread well beyond the artists and venues directly involved.Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (TRobinsonNewEra)³