Ed Sheeran's stadium tour of the United States is losing its opening acts one after another. Irish singer Aaron Rowe, the Irish band Beoga, Danish group Lukas Graham and Finneas — the producer and brother of Billie Eilish — have all pulled out of their remaining dates on the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped from the bill after pro-Palestinian statements on stage.
What happened at MetLife
The dispute began on September 5, when Macklemore opened for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Introducing his protest song "Hind's Hall," written about the war in Gaza, the Seattle rapper shouted "Free Palestine!" and addressed Jewish fans directly, saying that criticism of Israel and "being against genocide" was "in no way" criticism of them.
Shortly afterward, several U.S. venues on the itinerary said they would not host him. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company runs Gillette Stadium, reportedly rallied other stadiums against the rapper, according to the Associated Press; his side cited "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery." The tour's promoter, Messina Touring Group, then removed Macklemore from the remaining shows.
Sheeran distances himself
Sheeran said the call was not his. "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," he said in a statement reported by the AP, adding that he respected the rapper's "strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes." According to ABC News, Sheeran explained that venues had made clear they would pull the concerts if Macklemore stayed on the bill.
The walkouts followed. Finneas had been booked for the tour's South American leg; Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham were due to play U.S. stadium dates.
The road ahead
The Loop Tour, which opened on January 16 in Auckland, New Zealand, has 27 North American shows scheduled from mid-June through late October. The U.S. run resumes this Saturday in Philadelphia, with upcoming stops including Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Organizers have not announced who will replace the departing openers.
Reporting from the Associated Press and ABC News.
