Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour has descended into full-blown crisis, with every supporting act and his own backing band withdrawing from the remaining dates after the rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour over onstage comments in support of Palestine — a decision that has ignited an explosive and far-reaching row about free speech, political pressure, and corporate power in the music industry.
How It All Unravelled
The trouble began on 4 September, when Macklemore — born Benjamin Haggerty — opened Sheeran's New Jersey MetLife Stadium show by performing his 2024 protest song 'Hind's Hall', which condemns Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Addressing the crowd directly, the Grammy-winning rapper declared: 'A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.'
He went on to say that he wanted people 'all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank' to know 'we have not forgotten about them', and that every person on earth deserves to see their children grow up safely. The speech ran for roughly two minutes and was repeated across two consecutive nights at the same venue.'
The reaction was swift. The Israeli American Council launched a petition demanding Sheeran's management remove Macklemore, arguing he had used 'a global concert platform to advance a one-sided political agenda'. Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and a prominent donor to pro-Israel causes, announced he would ban Macklemore from performing at his Gillette Stadium near Boston. Other venue owners followed suit.
Sheeran in the Eye of the Storm
On 14 September, Macklemore announced on Instagram that he had been asked to leave the tour. Sheeran subsequently posted a lengthy statement explaining that removing Macklemore had been the promoter Messina Touring Group's decision, driven by pressure from venue owners — not his own choice.
'Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. 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.'
Sheeran said he had spent the week 'trying to build bridges' and find a solution, but that the venue owners' and promoter's decision was 'final'. He described himself as 'appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine' and by 'the suffering and pain caused on both sides'.
A Tour Walks Out
That explanation did not satisfy his fellow artists. Within hours of Sheeran's statement going public, a cascade of withdrawals followed. Irish singer Aaron Rowe, who had been booked for the 10 remaining North American dates, was among the first to go.
'As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. 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.'
Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother and a celebrated producer and artist in his own right, withdrew from six South American dates scheduled for November. 'Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,' he wrote. 'I stand with Palestine and its people.'
Danish pop act Lukas Graham also quit, with lead singer Lukas Forchhammer writing: '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.'
Perhaps most strikingly, the Irish traditional band Beoga — who have been friends with Sheeran for over a decade and perform as his live backing band — announced they too were departing the US tour in protest at what they called the 'silencing of Macklemore by zionist lobbies'.
Donations, Challenges, and Unanswered Questions
The row has since taken yet another twist. Macklemore announced he would donate $1 million to Palestinian organisations, publicly challenging Kraft to match the sum. Kraft responded on Wednesday by revealing that Sheeran had already called him to ask him to commit $2 million — matching Sheeran's own reported donation — 'to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis'. Kraft did not confirm whether he has agreed to make the donation or specify where any funds would go, and Sheeran himself has made no public comment about the reported philanthropic plans.
Macklemore, for his part, had clarified on 8 September that his call to 'Free Palestine' was 'in no way a criticism' of Jewish people. 'My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality,' he said in a statement to Variety. Singer Pink also weighed into the debate, reposting criticism of Macklemore's comments before adding her own essay clarifying her position.
With the Loop Tour's next date in Philadelphia fast approaching and no support acts left standing, the question of whether the remaining shows will go ahead — and in what form — remains unanswered.
