All remaining support acts for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour have withdrawn from the lineup following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the tour. The departing acts include the artist Finneas, the Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, and the Irish folk band Beoga, who typically perform with Sheeran during his main set. The departures occurred after Macklemore was dropped by promoters following pro-Palestinian remarks he made during performances in New Jersey.
The controversy began on September 4 at MetLife Stadium when Macklemore, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, called for a "free Palestine" and performed a song dedicated to student protesters while displaying footage of Gaza. The Israeli American Council subsequently petitioned for his removal, and the group StopAntisemitism characterized the performance as propaganda. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, confirmed he barred Macklemore from his venue, citing what he described as "hate speech" and the rapper's history of "antisemitic rhetoric."
Sheeran stated on Instagram that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoters, Messina Touring Group, and not by him personally. Sheeran said he attempted to "build a bridge" with venues but that the promoters acted to avoid venue-led cancellations that would affect the entire tour. While Sheeran described the conflict as a "human tragedy," he stated he does not use his professional platform for politics because his audience includes children who do not expect a "political forum." Messina Touring Group told Rolling Stone that venues had refused to let Macklemore perform, threatening the status of the tour.
The mass withdrawal affects concertgoers across the United States who purchased tickets for a multi-act lineup and will now see an altered show. The departure of Beoga, who perform nightly with Sheeran, alters the musical arrangement of the headlining set.
The situation involves significant financial and contractual interests, as Messina Touring Group noted that venue bans could have resulted in total tour cancellation, affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. For artists, the incident highlights the professional risks of political speech at corporate-sponsored venues. Macklemore reported losing sponsorships, brand deals, and private shows as a result of his statements, highlighting the economic impact on performers when their political views conflict with venue owners or promoters.
The dispute also reflects broader tensions within the entertainment industry regarding the conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in over 41,000 deaths according to the Hamas-run health ministry, following the October 7 attack by Hamas that killed approximately 1,200 people. While Israel states its operations are self-defense and rejects allegations of genocide, the public disagreement between Sheeran, his support acts, and venue owners like Robert Kraft shows how these international events are influencing domestic U.S. entertainment. The tour is expected to continue with its remaining dates, though replacements for the departed acts have not yet been announced.