Aaron Rowe has dropped out of Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore, saying he could not continue as a support act after the rapper was removed from the line-up.
Rowe announced his decision on social media, saying he had “made the decision to withdraw as a support act” on Sheeran’s tour.
He said the choice had not been made lightly and praised Sheeran for the impact he had had on his career.
“Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life; I could never thank him enough for this,” Rowe wrote.
But he added: “As Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.”
Rowe continued: “I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.”
He said he would lose all respect for himself if he continued with the remaining dates on the Ed Sheeran tour.
Macklemore was dropped from the tour after making pro-Palestine comments on stage in New Jersey. Sheeran said the decision had been made because stadium owners and promoters would not allow Macklemore to perform.
The stadium owners, including Robert Kraft, said Macklemore had been removed because of what they described as “antisemitic rhetoric and imagery”.
