All four supporting acts drop out of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after Macklemore's removal over pro-Palestine statements. Read the latest updates!
Pop superstar Ed Sheeran faces unprecedented tour chaos following the abrupt exit of every remaining supporting act on his global +--=÷x ("Loop") Tour. On September 15, 2026, Grammy-winning artist Finneas, Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish pop band Lukas Graham, and longtime Irish folk collaborators Beoga all officially resigned from the tour roster. The massive wave of resignations came in response to rapper Macklemore being dropped from upcoming stadium dates following pro-Palestinian remarks made during performances at MetLife Stadium. With the tour scheduled to resume on September 19, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Sheeran currently has no remaining support acts lined up.
Why Did All Opening Acts Quit Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour?
The mass departure erupted after Macklemore was removed from upcoming stadium dates due to pressure from venue owners and tour stakeholders.
- Aaron Rowe's Statement: Irish musician Aaron Rowe was the first to pull out, citing his Irish heritage and personal convictions regarding conflict and humanitarian issues, stating he could not stand by while artists are silenced.
- Finneas Stands With Palestine: Oscar and Grammy-winning producer Finneas dropped off the upcoming South American dates, writing on Instagram that artists must not be silenced when advocating for oppressed populations.
- Lukas Graham and Beoga Depart: Danish group Lukas Graham and Irish band Beoga followed shortly after, emphasizing the right of artists to speak on civilian suffering without financial pressure dictating political speech.
What Was Ed Sheeran's Response to the Macklemore Controversy?
Following intense online backlash, Sheeran issued an official statement attempting to clarify the situation and address venue pressure.
- Promoter and Venue Decision: Sheeran clarified that dropping Macklemore was not his personal choice. He stated that stadium owners, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (Gillette Stadium), refused to host the shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
- Commitment to Fans and Crew: Sheeran defended his choice to continue the tour without cancelling dates, explaining that he did not want to disappoint ticket holders or leave hundreds of crew members without work.
- No Replacements Announced: As the tour approaches its next stop in Philadelphia, production teams are working against the clock to determine if new openers will join or if Sheeran will perform expanded solo sets.
Keep up with official concert updates and schedule changes on the Ed Sheeran Official Tour Hub.