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Fri 9 Oct 2026 EN
· · 21 sources ·Figures differ ·Updated

Ed Sheeran support acts quit tour after Macklemore removal

All remaining supporting acts on Ed Sheeran's US Loop tour have withdrawn following the decision to drop rapper Macklemore for pro-Palestinian remarks made earlier this month.

Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after ‘free Palestine’ speech
File photo Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after ‘free Palestine’ speech Photo: The Guardian

Supporting musicians withdraw from dates

Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, Irish folk group Beoga, and Finneas announced their departures. Finneas stated that artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. These announcements came after Ed Sheeran clarified he was not responsible for Macklemore's removal from the lineup.

Sheeran defends apolitical stance publicly

Ed Sheeran emphasized that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the promoter rather than himself. He expressed a desire to avoid public debate regarding the conflict in Gaza while his support acts chose to protest against censorship.

All 21 outlets report consistently

No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.

  • The Guardian
  • France 24
  • Express Tribune
  • Variety
  • BBC News
  • Variety
  • The Hill
  • The Guardian
  • South China Morning Post
  • ABC News Australia
  • Middle East Eye
  • Middle East Eye
  • ABC News Australia
  • France 24
  • BOL News
  • BOL News
  • France 24
  • France 24
  • The Guardian
  • France 24
  • Express Tribune

Reported by

21 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.