Macklemore quits Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour over Palestine remarks; four more artists follow
Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga pulled out of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after rapper Macklemore was dropped for backing Palestine.
The controversy around Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour has deepened. Rapper Macklemore was dropped from the remaining US leg of the tour after he made a statement in support of Palestine. Following this decision, the rest of the opening acts on Sheeran's tour decided to pull out of the tour in support of Macklemore. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga each announced their decision separately. These developments have had a major impact on the tour's remaining shows.
In early September, a show was held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Macklemore voiced his support for Palestine. After making this statement, he was dropped from the subsequent shows on Sheeran's US tour. The decision was taken jointly by the tour's promoters and the relevant stadium management, and Macklemore was told he would not be able to take part in the upcoming shows.
Macklemore openly expressed displeasure at the decision. He made clear that he would not stop speaking in support of Palestine. The episode has also sparked debate over whether artists have the right to freely express social and political views on stage.
After Macklemore was dropped from the tour, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga decided to withdraw from the remaining Loop Tour dates. Their statements made clear that the main reason was to show solidarity with Macklemore and their own stance in support of Palestine. Among them, Beoga and Aaron Rowe cited Ireland's history in explaining their stance.
Ed Sheeran himself came forward to address the controversy. He said the decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was not his own but was taken by the promoters and the stadium management concerned. He also said he had tried to persuade those involved to keep Macklemore on the tour and continue with the shows.
Sheeran has said he wants his concerts to prioritise music and unity over political controversy. However, with the tour's major supporting acts withdrawing one after another following Macklemore's removal, a new and significant question now hangs over the remaining Loop Tour shows.
