Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour Loses Every Opener After Macklemore's Removal

Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour is now a headline act with no support. On September 15, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Aaron Rowe all withdrew from the tour in the same day, protesting the removal of Macklemore from the bill. Macklemore had been pulled after performing“Hind’s Hall,”his“Free Palestine”protest song, onstage.

The promoter, Messina Touring Group, said venues refused to host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, and Robert Kraft personally banned him from Gillette Stadium over what he called antisemitic rhetoric. The departing openers made their position clear: artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. Finneas was set for October dates, Lukas Graham had been on since August, and Rowe since February.

Sheeran responded by saying the decision came from the promoter, not him. He added that he respects Macklemore’s strength of purpose while choosing to keep his platform a place of safety and open conversation. So where do you land: should promoters and venues get the final say on who performs, or should the artist? Drop your take in the comments.

Source: Billboard