Ed Sheeran's Tour Faces Crisis as Supporting Acts Quit Following Macklemore's Removal Over Pro-Palestine Remarks

Ed Sheeran’s international tour has been thrown into crisis after rapper Macklemore was dropped from the tour’s US dates due to his onstage support of Palestine, prompting all of the British singer’s other opening acts to quit in protest.

Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, stated on Monday that he was barring Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts this month. Macklemore, who made pro-Palestinian remarks during shows in New Jersey, announced on Instagram that he had been removed from the rest of Sheeran’s American tour as well.

Following the decision, Finneas—a producer and Billie Eilish’s brother—alongside Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Irish band Beoga, and Danish band Lukas Graham all withdrew from their opening slots on Tuesday to express support for Macklemore and the Palestinian people.

Macklemore has publicly advocated for Palestinian rights since the conflict escalated following the October 7 attacks. During a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the rapper wore a keffiyeh and told the crowd that a main reason for doing the tour was to say "Free Palestine." His comments drew criticism from singer Pink and led to a petition against his appearances.

Macklemore placed the blame directly on Kraft, alleging that the Gillette Stadium owner rallied other stadium owners and gave Ed Sheeran an ultimatum regarding the venues. Kraft confirmed he canceled Macklemore's performances, citing concerns over a history of rhetoric he believes is offensive to the Jewish community.

Ed Sheeran distanced himself from the decision, placing responsibility on the concert promoter and defending his own silence on the conflict. Legal experts noted that while private venue owners have the legal right under the First Amendment to choose performers, such cancellations could create a chilling effect and encourage self-censorship among artists.