Artists Withdraw From Ed Sheeran Tour Following Macklemore Removal

Three of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour openers, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, have withdrawn from the remaining North American leg of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped from the lineup following pro-Palestinian remarks he made at Sheeran's New Jersey shows on September 4 and 5. Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, announced his decision in a short Instagram post. "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people." His statement follows Sheeran's own comments earlier that day, in which the singer said Macklemore's removal was the "promoter's decision," confirming he'd spoken directly with Gillette Stadium and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who Sheeran said was a key figure behind the decision. Aaron Rowe offered a longer, more personal explanation for his own exit, framing his decision through the lens of Irish history. "Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this. But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children. I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal. I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonization, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland." Danish pop band Lukas Graham posted a similarly lengthy statement, emphasising a belief in the universal right to speak about civilian suffering in conflict. "We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them. I grew up in Christiania, a small community in Denmark where speaking your mind was part of everyday life. Having more money didn't make your opinion worth more than anyone else's." Like Rowe, the band thanked Sheeran directly for the opportunity to tour with him. Macklemore, who had previously clarified that his "Free Palestine" remarks were not intended as criticism of Jewish people, released his own statement after being removed from the tour. "I didn't need 10 shows from Ed. I needed 2. Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say the words that somehow became too dangerous to say. Free Palestine," he wrote on Instagram. "But if those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I've ever been on." He also pushed back against framing any of the artists involved as victims of the fallout, referencing Pink's involvement in the online conversation surrounding his exit. "I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families. The victims are the Palestinian people."