Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore

Ed Sheeran's tour of North and South America has been disrupted after four supporting acts quit in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour for making pro-Palestinian comments. According to Khaosod English, the withdrawn acts include Irish musicians Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish.

Macklemore was removed from the tour after expressing support for Palestine during a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, as reported by the Daily Times.

The withdrawn acts, including Finneas, cited their reasons for leaving in statements on social media, with Finneas saying "artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed" and stating his support for Palestine and its people.

Brief written by urgent.news from NPR, ABC News AU, Khaosod English, Daily Times, Middle East Eye — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.