Several artists have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore was removed as a supporting act following pro-Palestinian remarks made during a concert in New Jersey.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Finneas and Danish band Lukas Graham announced their departures on Instagram, hours after Sheeran said the decision to drop Macklemore had been made by the tour’s promoters.
Rowe and Lukas Graham had been due to replace Macklemore at the remaining US dates. Beoga had been joining Sheeran for several songs during his sets, including tracks the Irish folk band co-wrote, while Finneas was scheduled to appear on the South American leg later this year.
The withdrawals have placed renewed pressure on Sheeran, who has sought to avoid taking a public position on the conflict in Gaza. He has said that fans attend his concerts for music rather than politics.
Why Macklemore was removed from the tour
Macklemore said on Monday that several US venues had told the promoter they would not allow him to perform as Sheeran’s opening act. He said the venues had been rallied by Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, as well as the NFL’s New England Patriots.
Mr Kraft said Macklemore’s removal followed his recent comments and “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community”.
Macklemore said he had been dropped from the tour after shouting “Free Palestine!” at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 5 September while introducing his protest song Hind’s Hall. The title refers to student protests over the Gaza war at Columbia University in New York.
During the performance, he said: “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.”
In a statement posted online, Macklemore added: “Antisemitism is real. And that is exactly why the word matters too much to be used as a shield against criticism of the Israeli state.”
He said that conflating criticism of Israel, opposition to Zionism or support for a free Palestine with hatred of Jewish people “doesn’t protect Jewish people. It protects Israel from accountability.”
Artists explain their decision to leave
Rowe referred to Ireland’s history in explaining his withdrawal. “As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” he wrote.
“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 added, ending his statement with “free Palestine”.
Beoga said it was leaving because of “the silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies”. The band added: “We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people.”
Finneas said: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.” He added: “I stand with Palestine and its people.”
Lukas Graham said it was “hard to watch families in other parts of the world burying the people they love”. The duo said artists should be able to speak about war, civilians being killed and children growing up safely, “wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them”.
“Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge,” the band added.
Sheeran said he had spoken to venues throughout the week in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but that their decision, together with that of the promoter, was final.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” he wrote. “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
The singer said he had personal views about “this devastating conflict” but did not intend to discuss them publicly because concertgoers did not expect “a political forum”. He added: “I am not complicit.”
Sheeran said he respected Macklemore’s willingness to speak out, but believed there was room for different approaches to achieving peace. He said he wanted his platform to be “a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed”.
Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at eight of the ten remaining dates on Sheeran’s US stadium tour, which is due to resume on Saturday in Philadelphia. The itinerary includes shows at Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Israel vehemently rejects accusations that its wartime actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
