Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has lost four supporting acts as fallout from Macklemore’s removal continues. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Irish folk group Beoga all announced exits from scheduled dates. The tour walkout came shortly after Ed Sheeran addressed the Macklemore controversy himself. He said promoters and venues, not him, made the final decision to remove the rapper.
Four acts have left Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following Macklemore’s removal
Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham were scheduled to open upcoming Loop Tour dates. Beoga, meanwhile, had been performing as Ed Sheeran’s backing band. NPR reports that all four announced their departures Tuesday. Each linked the decision to Macklemore’s exit and voiced support for Palestinians.
Finneas said artists “must not be silenced” for speaking about oppressed people. He also said he stood with Palestine and its people.
Rowe made a similar argument. The Irish singer said he could not continue with the tour after Macklemore’s removal. Meanwhile, Lukas Graham said money should not determine who gets to speak about suffering.
Beoga then confirmed it would leave the remaining U.S. dates. Notably, the group has worked with Ed Sheeran for more than a decade. The walkout follows Macklemore’s removal from eight remaining U.S. shows. He had said “Free Palestine” during his MetLife Stadium set in New Jersey on Sept. 4.
Messina Touring Group previously said several venues would not host the concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup. Therefore, the promoter removed him rather than risk cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.
Ed Sheeran later explained his side in an Instagram statement. He said Macklemore’s removal “was the promoter’s decision” and added that he had tried to find a compromise with venues and activists.
The singer also said he prefers to keep his professional platform away from politics. Still, he said he respects Macklemore’s commitment to speaking about his beliefs. For now, the Loop Tour is moving forward. However, the departures leave its upcoming dates without the previously announced support lineup.
The latest walkout adds another layer to the Macklemore controversy. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran now faces questions about how the remaining shows will proceed.
