{
  "id": 7688066,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran Tour in Turmoil as Support Acts Quit After Macklemore Exit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-tour-in-turmoil-as-support-acts-quit-after-macklemore-exit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T02:39:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tempo.co English",
    "slug": "tempo-co-english",
    "url": "https://en.tempo.co/read/2119675/ed-sheeran-tour-in-turmoil-as-support-acts-quit-after-macklemore-exit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour has become entangled in controversy after all of his remaining support acts and his own touring band announced their departures. The decision came days after rapper Macklemore was removed from the lineup due to his pro-Palestinian remarks during Sheeran's concerts.\n\nMacklemore's removal was attributed to the decision made by the tour promoter and venues, not by Sheeran himself. Sheeran expressed his stance on the matter through an Instagram post, distancing himself from the decision and emphasizing that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter, not the singer.\n\nThe controversy began on September 4 when Macklemore performed at Sheeran's concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During the show, he called for \"Free Palestine\" and performed a song criticizing Israel's military campaign in Gaza. This sparked criticism from some Jewish groups and other critics, leading to a petition calling for Macklemore's removal from the tour.\n\nIn response to the backlash, Sheeran addressed the situation in a statement, expressing his concern for the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He acknowledged Macklemore's right to express his views as an artist but explained that the decision to remove him was based on how he conveyed his message during the performances. Sheeran spoke with venues and promoters throughout the week to find a resolution, but ultimately, the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoters and venue managers.\n\nSeveral support acts, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, and Danish pop-rock band Lukas Graham, followed Macklemore's departure, citing concerns over the conflict and the removal of Macklemore from the tour. Beoga, an Irish folk band that had performed with Sheeran on stage during the tour, also decided to leave the remaining US Loop tour dates.\n\nDespite the turmoil, Sheeran reiterated his commitment to using his platform for unity, joy, and love, emphasizing that his shows are about welcoming everyone and maintaining diplomacy. He expressed his personal views on the conflict while maintaining that his audience, including young people and children, expects a place of safety and sanctuary, not a political forum.",
  "summary": "Ed Sheeran's US tour faces turmoil after all remaining support acts & his touring band quit following Macklemore's removal over pro-Palestine remarks.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ed Sheeran's US tour faces turmoil as all support acts and his band quit",
    "Macklemore removed due to pro-Palestinian remarks during concerts",
    "Sheeran distances himself from decision, emphasizes unity and safety"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Ed Sheeran's US tour has become a focal point for controversy over artist expression and event politics, with his support acts and band exiting amid fallout over Macklemore's pro-Palestinian remarks.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/7688066.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore from US concert tour was not his decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-dropping-macklemore-from-us-concert-tour-was-not-his",
        "published": "2026-09-15T21:46:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran’s Americas tour in trouble as opening acts quit over Macklemore’s removal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheerans-americas-tour-in-trouble-as-opening-acts-quit-over",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:11:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran's support acts quit US tour after Macklemore dropped",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheerans-support-acts-quit-us-tour-after-macklemore-dropped",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:43:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran denies being behind Macklemore removal from US tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-denies-being-behind-macklemore-removal-from-us-tour",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:53:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran breaks silence after Macklemore dropped from tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-breaks-silence-after-macklemore-dropped-from-tour",
        "published": "2026-09-15T23:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran’s opening acts pull out of tour after Macklemore dumped",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheerans-opening-acts-pull-out-of-tour-after-macklemore-dumped",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:11:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "All supporting acts quit Ed Sheeran tour in protest of Macklemore’s removal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/all-supporting-acts-quit-ed-sheeran-tour-in-protest-of-macklemores",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Supporting acts pull out of Ed Sheeran's tour over dropping Macklemore",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/supporting-acts-pull-out-of-ed-sheerans-tour-over-dropping-macklemore",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says Macklemore tour exit wasn’t his call after ‘Free Palestine’ remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-says-macklemore-tour-exit-wasnt-his-call-after-free",
        "published": "2026-09-16T00:56:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore from US concert tour was not his decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/ed-sheeran-says-dropping-macklemore-from-us-concert-tour-was-not-his",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:18:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}