Support acts quit Ed Sheeran tour after Macklemore removal over Palestine statements

Several opening acts have left Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after he dropped rapper Macklemore from the lineup. Macklemore had made pro-Palestinian statements during two shows in New Jersey. Sheeran removed him after pressure from venue owners, including businessman Robert Kraft, who supports Israel. On 15 September 2026, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish band Beoga all announced they were leaving the tour. Other acts, including Myles Smith and BIIRD, had already shown public support for Macklemore. Sheeran said he has personal views on the conflict but does not want to speak about them publicly. Critic Kaivan Shroff said this means a pro-Israel billionaire has effectively decided Sheeran's public position for him.