All supporting acts withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore
Supporting acts for Ed Sheeran's tour have withdrawn in protest after Macklemore was removed from the lineup for his pro-Palestine comments. The decision to remove Macklemore was reportedly influenced by venue owners and donors opposed to his stance.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the growing tension between artists' freedom of expression and the influence of corporate stakeholders in the entertainment industry.
Ed Sheeran performs at Madison Square Garden in December 2025 in New York. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Kevin MazurGetty Images for iHeartRadio Ed Sheeran performs at Madison Square Garden in December 2025 in New York. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Kevin MazurGetty Images for iHeartRadio Ed Sheeran All supporting acts withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore Four openers and live band for Sheeran’s tour depart after removal of Macklemore over ‘free Palestine’ comments
Prefer the Guardian on Google All four supporting acts for upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran ’s Loop tour have withdrawn in solidarity with fellow opening act Macklemore , as backlash grows against his removal from the tour over onstage comments in support of Palestine .
Also covering this story
18 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore
Ed Sheeran's opening acts quit tour in solidarity with Macklemore
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestine comments onstage
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after 'Free Palestine' speech
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour after 'free Palestine' speech
Macklemore says Robert Kraft had him dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour after his comments about the Palestinian territories
Ed Sheeran blames US tour promoter for dropping Macklemore
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after 'Free Palestine' speech
Macklemore cut from Ed Sheeran U.S. tour after onstage 'Free Palestine' remarks
Ed Sheeran tour: Finneas, Aaron Rowe withdraw after Macklemore removal
Macklemore says he was dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after Patriots owner Robert Kraft organized boycott
Ed Sheeran breaks silence on Macklemore tour removal, as all remaining openers drop out
Robert Kraft Confirms He Barred Macklemore From Ed Sheeran Boston Shows - Rolling Stone
Ed Sheeran says it wasn't his decision to drop Macklemore
Ed Sheeran issues statement as band, support acts quit tour after Macklemore axed over pro-Palestine comments
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after pro-Palestine comments - The Washington Post
Ed Sheeran Opener Aaron Rowe Pulls Out of Tour After Macklemore Drop
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over 'Free Palestine' comments, as Robert Kraft weighs in
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in