Hours after Ed Sheeran responded to the criticism regarding Macklemore being removed from his tour for pro-Palestinian remarks, all remaining supporting acts have decided to withdraw from Sheeran’s tour.
Sheeran expressed his dismay about the Israel-Palestine conflict, describing it as a human tragedy affecting both sides but chose not to publicly take a stance. He attributed Macklemore’s removal to decisions made by venues and promoters. Following this, supporting acts Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Finneas announced their departure from the tour in solidarity with Palestinians, leaving the tour without any opening acts.
Sheeran mentioned that venues contacted him after his performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, threatening to cancel shows if Macklemore, known for his onstage pro-Palestinian comments, was not removed. Videos of Macklemore chanting “Free Palestine” and expressing support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have sparked criticism from pro-Israel groups.
Rowe, one of the openers for the remaining U.S. shows, cited Ireland’s history of colonization as a reason for leaving the tour, emphasizing the importance of honoring his ancestors’ resistance. Beoga, another Irish band, echoed similar sentiments and declared their withdrawal from Sheeran’s backing band role for the U.S. dates.
Danish artist Lukas Graham expressed the difficulty of his decision to exit the tour, emphasizing the need to discuss conflicts like war and civilian casualties openly. Finneas, known for collaborating with Billie Eilish, also announced his withdrawal from the upcoming South American tour dates with Sheeran, advocating for artists’ voices in supporting the oppressed.
Macklemore, in his statement, highlighted the disconnect between his stance on Palestinian rights and the response from those who found his remarks offensive. The situation has drawn attention to the challenges artists face when speaking out about controversial issues like Gaza.
The article has reignited discussions on the treatment of artists who take pro-Palestinian stances and the consequences they may face in the industry. It remains uncertain if Sheeran’s tour will proceed without opening acts or if new ones will be sought for the remaining U.S. dates.