Hours after singer Ed Sheeran responded to the controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore being removed from his tour for making pro-Palestinian remarks onstage, all remaining supporting acts have now withdrawn from Sheeran’s tour.
In a statement on Tuesday, Sheeran expressed his dismay over the Israel-Palestine conflict, labeling the suffering on both sides as a human tragedy. However, he defended his decision not to take a public stance on the issue. He attributed Macklemore’s removal to the decisions of venues and promoters.
Following this, supporting acts Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Finneas announced their departure from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Palestinians, leaving the tour without any opening acts.
Sheeran mentioned that venues had threatened to cancel his performances if Macklemore, 43, was not removed as the opening act due to the way Macklemore conveyed his message during performances, particularly expressing support for Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The supporting acts cited various reasons for their departure, with Rowe highlighting Ireland’s history of genocide and occupation as a factor in his decision. Beoga, an Irish band, emphasized their commitment to justice and activism for Palestine. Lukas Graham mentioned the importance of discussing war and civilian casualties, emphasizing the need for open dialogue.
Additionally, Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and musical partner, announced on Instagram that he would no longer participate in the upcoming tour dates in South America, advocating for artists to speak up for the oppressed.
Macklemore, in a statement on Monday, mentioned his friendship with Sheeran but emphasized the importance of standing by the truth and speaking out against injustices.
The situation has raised questions about artists facing backlash for supporting Gaza, with actors experiencing repercussions for their pro-Palestinian views.
The future of Sheeran’s tour remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether the remaining U.S. dates will proceed without opening acts or if new acts will be sought. The U.S. tour concludes at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., which previously hosted Kanye West shows despite controversy over West’s past statements.
Past incidents involving Macklemore’s alleged antisemitism were also revisited, highlighting the complexities of addressing sensitive issues in the entertainment industry.
