Ed Sheeran Loses Support Acts as Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Aaron Rowe Pull Out Over Macklemore Controversy

Ed Sheeran has found himself without scheduled supporting acts after four performers withdrew from his Loop tour in solidarity with Macklemore. The rapper was previously removed from the lineup following his pro-Palestine comments.

Finneas, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk group Beoga all announced their departure from the tour on Tuesday. This came just hours after Sheeran addressed the controversy surrounding Macklemore's exit. Finneas had been set to open for Sheeran on six South American dates in November, while Rowe was scheduled for the 10 remaining North American shows. Beoga, who have worked with Sheeran for more than a decade, were performing as his backing band.

The withdrawals follow Macklemore's removal from remaining dates after he said "free Palestine" during a speech at Sheeran's MetLife Stadium show in New Jersey on September 4. During his two-minute speech, Macklemore addressed people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, stating that "we have not forgotten about them" before uttering "free Palestine."

The comments triggered a petition from the Israeli American Council calling for his removal, alongside objections from venue owners. Among the objectors was Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, where Sheeran was scheduled to perform. Sheeran explained on Tuesday that multiple stadium owners refused to host upcoming shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.

"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," Sheeran wrote on Instagram. The English singer noted he spent the previous week attempting to build bridges and find a solution without success.

Shortly after Sheeran's statement, remaining performers began announcing their departures. Finneas, brother to Billie Eilish and a Grammy- and Oscar-winning musician and producer, stated he would no longer appear at his six scheduled South American dates. Rowe, who opened for Sheeran in Australia earlier this year, also withdrew despite describing Sheeran as a friend who changed his life. Beoga announced it would leave Sheeran's backing band for remaining US dates due to what it termed the silencing of Macklemore. Lukas Graham also withdrew, with frontman Lukas Forchhammer emphasizing that people should be free to speak about civilian suffering.

Macklemore defended his comments, stating his support for Palestine was not intended as criticism of Jewish people, and added that he did not regret using the shows to speak out. Meanwhile, Robert Kraft defended his opposition to Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, pointing to the rapper's recent actions and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.