NEW YORK — Three supporting acts have quit Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore was removed for his pro-Palestinian comments onstage.
5 date at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium while introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall. Finneas was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year. Rowe was one of Macklemore’s replacements for Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga was serving as Sheeran’s touring band. Emails seeking comment were sent to Sheeran and Macklemore’s other replacement, the Danish band Lukas Graham. NEW YORK — Ed Sheeran has weighed in on Macklemore being dropped as his opening act after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments onstage during their tour, saying the decision was made by the promoters alone. His Kraft Group also owns Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots play.
Hours after Sheeran said he refused to be drawn into a discussion about the war in Gaza, Aaron Rowe, the band Beoga and Finneas all posted Tuesday on Instagram that they would withdraw from Sheeran’s tour. The British singer also said he refused to be drawn into a public discussion about the war in Gaza. Sheeran’s statement came a day after Macklemore said he was kicked off the Loop Tour after exclaiming “Free Palestine!” during the Sept. “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you,” he said during the concert. Macklemore said Monday on Instagram that several U.S. venues told the promoter they would prohibit him from performing as Sheeran’s opening act, rallied by Robert Kraft, owner of NFL’s New England Patriots. Sheeran said he tries to use his music to “bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together” and that while he has personal views about “this devastating conflict,” he chooses not to speak publicly because people who come to his shows “do not expect a political forum. He added: “I am not complicit.”
