Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour has lost its entire remaining supporting lineup after every opener withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the tour following backlash over his “Free Palestine” speech onstage. Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe all announced their departures Tuesday, while Sheeran’s touring band Beoga also withdrew from the remaining dates.
The controversy began after Macklemore delivered a pro-Palestinian speech during his September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine,’” he told the crowd. He also spoke about people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank before performing “Hind’s Hall.” The Israeli American Council subsequently launched a petition calling for his removal.
Finneas wrote, “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.”
Rowe said, “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices” of those speaking about Gaza. Lukas Graham’s Lukas Forchhammer also criticized the idea that money should determine who gets to speak about suffering.
On Instagram, Sheeran explained that Macklemore’s removal was “the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.” He said he spent the week speaking with venues and promoters in an attempt to find a resolution, but ultimately decided to drop Macklemore when Robert Kraft – Kraft Group CEO and owner of Gillette Stadium – called to tell him he had rallied several stadium owners to ban his concerts.
The dispute has since moved into philanthropy. Macklemore announced that he will donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from the tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians, including Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and Medical Aid for Palestinians. He also challenged Kraft to match the donation. The 85-year-old billionaire later said Sheeran had already asked him to match a $2 million humanitarian donation before Macklemore’s public appeal.