NEW YORK — Four supporting acts connected to Ed Sheeran’s tour have withdrawn following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the lineup.
The departing performers are Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham. Their decisions came after Macklemore was removed from the tour following pro-Palestinian comments he made during a performance in New Jersey.
Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoter rather than by him. In a statement, he said the promoter’s decision followed concerns from venues about having Macklemore remain on the tour.
The departures were announced after Sheeran addressed Macklemore’s removal. Finneas, Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham each said they were withdrawing in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestinians.
Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking up for oppressed people and expressed support for Palestine and its people. Rowe and Beoga also referred to Ireland’s historical experiences in explaining their decisions, while Lukas Graham said people should be able to speak about war, civilian deaths and children affected by conflict.
Rowe and Lukas Graham had been scheduled to take part in Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga had been performing with Sheeran as his touring band. Finneas was scheduled to join the tour for six South American shows in November.
The changes leave Sheeran without the four supporting acts that had been associated with the remaining dates of his Loop tour.
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