All four supporting acts for Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour have withdrawn in solidarity with Macklemore after the rapper was removed from the lineup over pro-Palestinian onstage remarks. The departures follow pressure from venue owners, including billionaire Robert Kraft, leading to widespread fallout across the stadium tour.
Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour has unraveled further as every supporting act scheduled for upcoming dates pulled out of the lineup. The mass withdrawal follows the removal of rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour after delivering a pro-Palestinian speech during his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
MetLife Stadium Performances and Macklemore’s Removal
During the September 5 and September 6 shows at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall” and advocated for Palestinians in Gaza.
The remarks triggered immediate opposition from venue owners and a petition from the Israeli American Council. According to Messina Touring Group, the promoter of the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, venues communicated that they would refuse to host the concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
“As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans. After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
Messina Touring Group, Tour Promoter
Robert Kraft and Gillette Stadium Objections
Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, directly expressed concern to Ed Sheeran about the tour’s upcoming Boston stop, issuing an ultimatum that if Macklemore stayed on the tour, performances in their venues would not be allowed. Kraft detailed his position in a public message on social media, pointing to the venue’s longstanding commitment to preventing hate speech and citing what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric.
“Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line.”
Robert Kraft, Gillette Stadium Owner
Ed Sheeran’s Response and Tour Promoter Decisions
Following the controversy, Ed Sheeran released a detailed statement on Instagram explaining that Macklemore leaving the tour was ultimately the decision of the promoters and venues rather than his own. Sheeran stated that he attempted to build bridges throughout the week, speaking directly with Robert Kraft, promoters, and activists on both sides, but the venue’s and the promoter’s decision was final.
Sheeran stated that after Macklemore’s performances at his New Jersey shows, venues on his upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting, and that he would not let down the fans who had made plans or abandon the touring crew and other support acts.
Ed Sheeran, Recording Artist
Supporting Acts Withdraw in Solidarity
In the wake of Macklemore’s removal, all four remaining supporting acts for the tour announced their withdrawals. Finneas, who was scheduled to open on six South American dates in November, posted on social media that artists must not be silenced when speaking up for the oppressed. Aaron Rowe, an Irish singer slated for 10 North American dates, also withdrew, stating that billionaires should not use their power to silence voices highlighting the conflict. Traditional folk band Beoga and Danish pop band Lukas Graham followed suit, with Lukas Forchhammer writing that money does not give anyone the right to own the conversation or decide which suffering is acknowledged.
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