Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour lost all four of its remaining opening acts this week after promoters removed rapper Macklemore from the bill, a cascade of withdrawals that has left the stadium tour without a single supporting act for its upcoming dates. The dispute began after Macklemore made onstage statements in support of Palestinians during two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sept. 4 and 5, including a performance of his song "Hind's Hall."
According to reporting reviewed by multiple outlets, pressure built over the following days from advocacy groups and venue operators, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who told Sheeran directly that he and other stadium owners would cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the tour. On Sept. 14, tour promoter Messina Touring Group announced Macklemore's removal, citing venues' refusal to host him.
A statement, then a walkout
Sheeran addressed the decision the next day on Instagram, writing that removing Macklemore "was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," and that he preferred to use his platform for diplomacy rather than take political sides.
I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.
Ed Sheeran, via Instagram
Within hours, the tour's remaining support acts said they were leaving too. Finneas, the producer and musician who is Billie Eilish's brother, wrote that artists "must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed." The Danish band Lukas Graham and the Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga followed with their own statements; Beoga invoked Ireland's history under British rule, and Rowe said he could not "stand by and allow billionaires to use their power to silence rightful voices."
Macklemore, for his part, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram describing career opportunities he said he had lost over his comments, and on Sept. 16 announced he would donate his roughly $1 million in tour earnings to a group of relief organizations working in Gaza, including the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.
Donations follow the fallout
The financial gestures have continued since. Kraft announced a $2 million donation of his own on Sept. 17 without specifying a recipient, and children's entertainer Ms. Rachel pledged to match Macklemore's $1 million contribution, calling on other wealthy celebrities to do the same.
Eight of the ten remaining stadium dates on Sheeran's North and South American leg were affected by the walkouts, with shows resuming in Philadelphia. It remains unclear whether Sheeran's team will book replacement openers or proceed with the tour's remaining shows without any supporting act.
The episode has become one of the most closely watched controversies in touring music this year, drawing commentary from artists and industry figures over how far concert promoters and venue owners should go in policing performers' political speech.
