Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has lost all of its remaining supporting acts after four artists withdrew following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the tour.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga all announced that they would no longer take part in the tour. Beoga was also serving as Sheeran’s touring band.
The situation began after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian comments during his performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Macklemore addressed the crowd by saying he wanted to be able to say “Free Palestine” at MetLife Stadium. He also expressed solidarity with people in Gaza and the West Bank.
During his performance, he performed “Hind’s Hall,” a protest song he dedicated to student activists at Columbia University and groups including Students for Justice in Palestine.
Macklemore was later removed from the remaining U.S. dates. Sheeran said the decision was made by the tour promoter and venues, not by him.
After Macklemore’s removal, the other artists announced that they would also leave the tour. Finneas said artists should not be silenced when they speak about people they believe are being oppressed.
Macklemore later addressed the situation and said Sheeran had been placed in a difficult position because of the decision.
Despite the changes, Sheeran’s tour dates have not been canceled. The tour is scheduled to continue with the next U.S. show in Philadelphia.
The controversy has put Sheeran’s tour at the center of a wider debate about music, free speech and political expression at major concerts.
