Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore from U.S. concert tour was not his decision

Ed Sheeran's tour of opening acts has been canceled in solidarity with Macklemore over the rapper's pro-Palestine comments. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk group Beoga all announced they would no longer perform in the tour on Tuesday, the day after Sheeran addressed the controversy. Finneas was set to appear on six South American dates, while Rowe was due to perform at the remaining North American shows.

Beoga, who have collaborated with Sheeran for over a decade, were serving as his backing band. The withdrawals followed Macklemore's removal from the tour after he said "free Palestine" during a speech at Sheeran's MetLife Stadium show in New Jersey on September 4. The comments prompted a petition from the Israeli American Council and objections from some venue owners.

Macklemore stated during a two-minute speech that he had not forgotten about Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and said "free Palestine." This led several stadium owners, including billionaire Robert Kraft, to refuse hosting Macklemore's upcoming shows. Sheeran stated on Instagram that several stadium owners had refused to host Macklemore's shows if he remained on the bill, and that he had unsuccessfully tried to find a solution.