4 acts drop out of Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with rapper Macklemore

NEW YORK - Four supporting acts have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with the rapper Macklemore, who was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.

The move comes just hours after Sheeran posted on social media about Macklemore’s ouster and attributed the decision to the tour’s promoters.

4 acts drop out of Ed Sheeran’s tour

Big picture view:

Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas posted on Instagram that they were leaving the Loop Tour.

Rowe and Lukas Graham would have been replacements for Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga had been performing several songs – including some the Irish folk band co-wrote – with Sheeran around the middle of each set. Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year.

Finneas, other acts respond to dropping out

What they're saying:

Sheeran said he was "appalled" by the conflict between Israel and Palestine and described the suffering on both sides as "a human tragedy," according to a lengthy statement shared on Instagram after Macklemore accused Sheeran and tour organizers of sidelining him over his pro-Palestinian remarks.

Hours after Sheeran’s statement, Rowe and Beoga each issued statements explaining their decision, calling Sheeran a friend while citing their country’s history. 

"We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be," Beoga said.

Finneas also wrote, "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people."

Meanwhile, Lukas Graham, the band that had hits with "Mama Said" and "7 Years," expressed gratitude to Sheeran and called it "a difficult decision."

"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 posted, seemingly referring to billionaire Robert Kraft’s role in Macklemore’s removal from the tour.

Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour

The backstory:

On Monday, it was announced that Macklemore had been dropped from the remainder of Ed Sheeran’s tour following backlash over pro-Palestine remarks the rapper made during a recent opening performance.

The Seattle rapper shared the news Monday morning in a statement posted to his Instagram, revealing that Sheeran’s team made the decision to remove him from the lineup after venue owners allegedly threatened to pull the plug on future tour stops.

During a performance at MetLife Stadium last week, Macklemore addressed the audience regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

During his performance, Macklemore repeatedly chanted "Free Palestine" while a slideshow played on the screen behind him, showing footage from the war in Gaza, FOX News Digital reported. 

RELATED: Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour after 'free Palestine' speech

The Rolling Stone reported the remarks drew swift backlash from critics, including an Israeli-American organization that launched a petition demanding his removal from the tour. 

According to Macklemore, Sheeran contacted him to explain that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, stated Macklemore would not be permitted to perform at his venue. Macklemore alleged that Kraft rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum to Sheeran's team: drop Macklemore from the lineup or lose the ability to perform at their venues.

Despite losing the tour slot, Macklemore emphasized in his statement that his long-standing friendship with Sheeran remains intact, though they fundamentally disagree on the approach to the situation. He noted that taking a stand has cost him financial opportunities, brand deals, and performance access, but described speaking out as a "duty."

In a multi-slide statement posted to Instagram, Macklemore reflected on his removal from the tour and his relationship with Sheeran:

"Ed is my friend. I’ve known him for 13 years," Macklemore wrote. "Nothing I’m writing here is out of spite or because I want to tear down his character. But as I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened."

Addressing the venue owners' response and the pressure placed on the tour, he added:

"Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."

EntertainmentU.S.News