nuSep 16, 2026, 05:52

Ed Sheeran's support acts and band withdraw following cancellation of Macklemore

Several supporting acts and Ed Sheeran's band have quit his tour following the controversial removal of rapper Macklemore. The decision to drop Macklemore, which followed his pro-Palestinian comments, was made under external pressure according to Sheeran, who expressed regret over the situation while declining to engage in political debate.

Multiple artists and Ed Sheeran's own backing band, Beoga, have withdrawn from his current tour in protest of the cancellation of rapper Macklemore. The artists leaving include FINNEAS, Aaron Rowe, and the band Lukas Graham. These musicians cited a desire to stand up for free speech and against the silencing of those advocating for the oppressed. The controversy began when Macklemore made pro-Palestinian statements during a performance, leading to intense pressure from the Israeli-American Council to have him removed from the tour. While Macklemore claims stadium owners pressured Sheeran to drop him, Sheeran stated that the decision was not his own and that he had attempted to resolve the situation without success. Sheeran emphasized that he prefers to avoid political debates at his shows to focus on his fans, though he expressed respect for Macklemore's convictions. Currently, the impact of these departures on the future of Sheeran's tour remains uncertain as the artist balances his professional commitments with the fallout of the ongoing dispute.

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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